SNP's Rona Mackay romps home to victory

Her majority of 8,100 was almost as much as the total number of votes cast for her nearest rival.

Ms Mackay polled 17,060 votes with Conservative candidate Andrew Polson in second place, polling 8,960.

Labour’s Margaret McCarthy was third with 8,288 votes and the Liberal Democrats’ Katy Gordon, in fourth place, with 4,880 votes.

Returning officer Gerry Cornes declared the result at 3.40am today (Friday) at the Leisuredrome in Bishopbriggs. to rapturous applause.

Some 39,361 voters turned out (62.9 per cent) of an electorate of 62,607. The number of rejected papers was 173.

Ms Mackay was the SNP’s chosen candidate after the former MSP for the seat, Fiona McLeod (SNP) retired from politics.

Ms Mackay has pledged to back the campaign to have out-patient chemotherapy introduced at Stobhill Hospital for certain types of cancer, and is a vehement supporter of free, flexible child care.

After her win, Ms Mackay said: “I am honoured and delighted that the voters of Strathkelvin and Bearsden have put their trust in me to be their voice in Holyrood.

“I look forward to working hard for every constituent, regardless of party politics, as my job is to represent everyone in the constituency to the best of my ability. I have many new ideas to bring to the table and I can’t wait to get on with the job.”