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."