2011 Holyrood Election Result and Declaration Speech

At circa 2.20am on Friday 6th May, the result of my first ever Election as a Scottish Conservative Candidate was read out.

This was the culmination of lots of work, sweat and shoe leather over the months of campaigning.

The result in full:

Michael McMahon Labour 11,531 46.1% -3.5%
Richard Lyle SNP 10,817 43.3% +14.6%
Mark Brown Conservative 2,117 8.5% -1.8%
Fraser Macgregor Liberal Democrat 530 2.1% -4.4%

Turnout 24,995 44.4 -1664
Majority 714 2.9

This resulted in the Lib Dem Candidate losing his deposit and a narrow win for Michael McMahon. Such was the swell in support of the Nationalists, 2nd place Richard Lyle ended up securing a List Seat at Holyrood.

On my vote, the unscientific calculation used for the 'Notional Vote' suggested that the share had dropped by 1.1%. Whilst disappointing, it was heartening to know that 2,117 people had decided to put faith in me as their Candidate and I thank each and every one of them.

Speaking after the declaration of the result, this is what I had to say:

Can I firstly thank the Returning Officer and his staff and the police involved for the organised way in which today’s election and tonights count has been conducted. I’d also like to thank my opponents in this election – and to coin but a popular election cliché, “It has been a friendly and civilised contest”.

I’d like to thank my Election Agent Henry Mitchell who has been a tremendous support throughout and as a first time Candidate, I couldn’t have had a better mentor.

I’d also like to thank my entire Campaign Team who have been a great sense of encouragement over the last few months.

Now, I don’t want to turn this into my ‘Oscars’ moment but I’d also like to pay tribute to my long suffering Wife, Laura for her understanding and patience over the last few months.

This has been a night of disaster for Labour and the Lib Dems. Their collapse has meant sweeping gains for the SNP.

More than ever Scotland needs a party which will stand up to the excesses of nationalism and bring reality to Scottish politics. That will be the Scottish Conservatives’ task in the months and years to come.

Thank you.

Annabel: Our country needs you

As we enter the final week of the campaign, Annabel Goldie, Scottish Conservative Leader, has urged all voters to get out and vote for what they want.

Annabel Goldie said:

"My message to all voters is clear – 'our country needs you'. You decide the balance of the next parliament. You decide what the balance of power and influence will be at Holyrood.

"No one party will have a majority. People don't have to vote for a party they don't like to stop another party they like even less. They can vote for what they want.

"Scottish politics needs somebody who will stand up to the excesses of nationalism and socialism. That somebody is me.

"I have proved over the last 4 years that the SNP can be brought to heel by the Scottish Conservatives. When he needed it, I gave Alex Salmond a kick up his political posterior.

"So let the Scottish Conservatives be judged on our record.

"Judge me on what I have delivered for Scotland.

"1,000 extra police – not the 500 which the SNP tried to fob off Scotland with.

"A 4 year council Tax freeze which was only delivered because of Scottish Conservative votes and was rejected by Labour and the LibDems.

"A £60million town centre regeneration fund, transforming high streets and boosting local trade.

"A new national drugs strategy, help for construction and house buyers, 10,000 new jobs on the way and much, much more all delivered because we, the Scottish Conservatives, made it happen.

"I will fight each and every day to deliver more common sense for Scotland at Holyrood.

"Every voter, in every seat and in every region of Scotland has two votes for that Scottish Conservative common sense.

"A constituency vote to decide their local MSP and a crucial regional vote on the peach ballot paper to decide who wields the balance of power and keeps Alex Salmond or Iain Gray in check.

"If you like what I say, if you like what I have delivered and if you want more of the same, then use that peach vote for me, Annabel Goldie and the Scottish Conservatives on Thursday."

A 1,000 Messages of Common Sense for Bellshill delivered

What a day! The sun was shining like a Summer's day and the good people of Bellshill were enjoying the beginning of the Easter Weekend with the Town's Main Street buzzing at lunchtime on arrival.

I was out today with fellow Candidates Andrew Hardie from Almond Valley and Robert Crozier (2nd on the Scottish Conservatives Regional Vote List) who is standing in Airdrie & Shotts.

Robert Crozier joins me to deliver in Bellshill - photo by Andrew Hardie.

First up was a chat with STV Bellshill's Nicola Dowds who was asking about the campaign so far.

Early on, near St Gerard's Primary School, I was approached by a gent who asked "Are you the Conservatives?". Wow, we've only been out 10 minutes and we've been spotted! He told me how he was delighted to see us out and about and he was proud to be Conservative. A spring in one's step indeed!

Parched, we popped in to Kelvin Wine Stores and spoke to the owner who told us of her plight of graffiti on the walls of her shop over a period of several years and she had to get CCTV installed at a significant cost to her small business to identify the culprits. This is lunacy and those culprits must be caught and dealt with by the authorities.

Robert met up with us after his trip to Uddingston's iconic Tunnocks factory where he was alongside Margaret Mitchell and Annabel Goldie for the launch of the Common Sense on the Economy Manifesto.

Lunch beckoned and it was back to Main Street and a trip to Cafe 'T'. It hit the spot and once we were fed and watered, it was back out and about.

Now, folically challenged and the heat are never good bedfellows, so it was the shady side of the street for me and the sunny side of the street for them and come 6pm, leaflet number 1,000 was finally delivered.

A good day all round and it was great to chat to loads of sun worshippers who wished me success ahead of May 5th.

Campaign trail takes Brown back to Bellshill - Delivering for Common Sense

Last night the campaign trail took me back to Bellshill.

Bellshill is one of the Country's biggest exporter of famous Scots, including: Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox MP was born there, Sir Matt Busby - who has the Town's Sports Centre named after him, Crooner Sheena Easton who made it big in America, Ally McCoist the Glasgow Rangers legend and the late and sadly missed Motherwell footballer Phil O'Donnell.

Now, pounding the streets solid for a few hours with Grade II and Grade III ankle ligament tears ain't easy! In fact, it's pretty painful! (If you can lend a hand to help the Campaign, please get in touch!!).

Thankfully my Agent Henry Mitchell and fellow Candidate from Airdrie and Shotts Robert Crozier plus his right-hand man Sandy Watson came along to support. Robert (or as he is more affectionately referred to as Bob!) is 2nd place on the Central Scotland Regional List, with Margaret Mitchell in 1st.

With your Vote for Mark Brown on the Lilac coloured Constituency ballot paper and Vote for Scottish Conservatives on the Peach coloured Regional ballot paper, you will be personally contributing towards delivering a better Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives have delivered more in the last four years than any other opposition party since devolution began. More Scottish Conservative MSPs means more common sense delivery.

We are set to take 2 List Seats in Central Scotland - doubling our delivery of fairness and common sense for the electorate.

Every voter in every seat in every region of Scotland can vote for more common sense policies on May 5th.

Vote Brown, Vote Scottish Conservatives and oh, of course, don't forget to Vote NO to AV on May 5th!

Bellshill Bobbies Crime Clampdown Welcomed

I've read some fantastic news today in that crime in Bellshill has fallen over the past 12 months, according to a new report from Strathclyde Police.

With the Scottish Conservatives responsible for delivering 1000 additional Police in Scotland over the last four years as a result of our budget negotiations, it is very encouraging to see a positive impact on crime reduction.

A local public consultation exercise carried out by the Bellshill Sub-Division identified drunk or disorderly behaviour, drug dealing and drug use and assault and violent crime as main concerns.

Based on looking at the months December - February and comparing it with the same 3 month period over the last 5 years:

· Crimes of Murder and Attempted Murder have decreased by over 33%

· Crimes of Serious Assault have decreased by over 6%

· Crimes of Minor Assault have decreased by over 18%

· Domestic abuse crimes have decreased by over 24%

· Race related crimes have decreased by 4%

· Homophobic crimes have decreased by 80%

· Incidents of street drinking reported to the police have decreased by over 25%

· Incidents of youth disorder have decreased by over 48%

· Crime involving indecent behaviour have decreased by over 39%

These statistics are very encouraging and the hard work the Police undertake to keep our streets safe is extremely welcomed and often under appreciated.

The 2 Sargeants and 10 Community Police Constables who are working exclusively in the Bellshill area are to be congratulated on their achievements.

For a breakdown of the raw data, please follow this link

Drop out rate rise as tough talking Tories get real on graduate contributions

Figures published this week show that Scotland has the highest University drop-out rate in the United Kingdom.

These figures are genuinely worrying for Scotland and many of it's world-renowned Universities, but these figures disprove the ridiculous claim that a financial contribution to higher education forces a greater drop-out rate. Other parts of the UK have fees and their continuation rate is greater.

No party in Scotland wants upfront tuition fees and we strongly believe that we need more bursary support for students from the poorest backgrounds, to give them greater support whilst they are studying.

We also believe that the higher education sector will only survive and thrive if we set in place a graduate contribution, repayable once the graduate attains a certain salary and at an affordable rate.

At the launch of the Manifesto Launch, Annabel Goldie said, "Scottish universities have a fine tradition, a proud reputation but that can only continue if there are additional sources of funding.

"This issue has already set us apart from other parties in the campaign. I shall not be cowed and I shall not be silenced because the public deserves to hear the truth."

She added: "The status quo is not tenable and the introduction of upfront tuition fees is unacceptable. Our proposed graduate contribution will be based on a university cost of £3,600 and we set a cap, at just £4,000."

The drop-out rate at universities across the UK in 2009/10 is as follows:

UK: 7.9%
England: 7.8%
Wales: 7.4%
Scotland: 9.3%
N. Ireland: 9.0%

Scottish Conservative Party Politicial Broadcast for 2011 Holyrood Election

As Iain Gray was running away from Protestors in Glasgow, Scottish Conservatives Leader Annabel Goldie takes a genteel stroll as she delivers the Party's Election Broadcast, with some 4 weeks to go before Scotland heads to the Polls: