 |
'You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!' Oliver Cromwell, 1653. |
 |
|
'You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!' Oliver Cromwell, 1653. |
|
The following table ranks constituency MSPs by their increase or decrease in popularity since May 1999.
Many voters have been shocked at the astonishing hypocrisy of Jim Wallace, Scottish Justice Minister and leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats since his election to the Scottish Parliament in 1999. Wallace's discarding of Lib Dem electoral promises such as the abolition of tuition fees (which have simply been deferred) and proportional representation (which the Lib Dems voted against in the 1999 parliament) led to Wallace being given the nickname "Billy Liar". Wallace twice acted as First Minister of Scotland during Donald Dewar's illness. Wallace's performances were pitiful with his blustering and posturing merely highlighting the fact that he was totally incapable of answering any of the questions that were put to him. Wallace's dismal showing is even more embarrassing when it is compared with other Lib Dem MSPs. While Nicol Stephen's vote surged by no less than 13.37 % in Aberdeen South, and four other Lib Dems achieved increases of more than 8 %, the politician who has done more than anybody to bring the Scottish parliament into disrepute saw his vote plummet by a massive 21.68 %. Following in the tradition of Cromwell in 1653 and L. Amery to Neville Chamberlain in May 1940, the electorate of Orkney have sent a clear message to Jim Wallace: "You have sat too long here for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!".
In Fife Central, normally a Labour stronghold, Christine May saw the biggest fall in the Labour vote in Scotland, down by 15.93 %. The seat was previously held by disgraced former First Minister Henry McLeish who resigned after getting into a muddle over the letting arrangements for his constituency office. There was a hard fought battle in the constituency between Ms May, previously leader of Fife Council, and the SNP's Tricia Marwick, a miner's daughter, who is hated by some in the Labour movement as they believe that she should be a natural Labour recruit.
In Glasgow Anniesland, Bill Butler saw the Labour vote fall by 13.06 % in the seat that was previously held by one of Labour's most popular figures, the late Donald Dewar, Secretary of State for Scotland and the first First Minister of the Scottish Parliament who died tragically in October 2000.
The normally safe Labour seat of Dunfermline West provided a shock for Scott Barrie who saw his vote plummet by 9.88 % in the face of a strong challenge from a Local Heath Concern candidate. In Glasgow Cathcart, Lord Watson of Invergowrie also saw his vote fall crash by 8.87 % following his opposition to the closure of Glasgow hospitals, quickly followed by a U-turn when he realised that his ministerial career was at risk. In Strathkelvin &Bearsden, Labour's Brian Fitzpatrick lost the seat in which Dr Sam Galbraith had notched up Labour's largest majority at the 1999 election to Local health Concern candidate, Dr Jean Turner. These results have sent a clear message to the ruling Labour-Lib Dem coalition that even their safest seats may fall if they do not do something to reverse the decline in the health service. It is clear to voters that while the government is unable (or rather unwilling) to release additional funding for the National Health Service, it is happy to fork out billions of pounds for the weapons of mass destruction which were used to massacre innocent women and children in Iraq and help further war criminal George W. Bush's pillage of the Iraqi peoples' oil revenues.
Tweedale, Ettrick &Lauderdale, David Steel's old seat from his Westminster days, has become a four way marginal and also provided a close result. Ian Jenkins, who had come under great criticism for his inactivity during an employment crisis in the Borders, resigned 'due to ill health.' He was replaced by 29 year old Jeremey Purves who saw the Lib Dem vote slide by 8.86 % on 1999 in the face of a challenge from the SNP's Christine Grahame, who reduced the Lib Dem majority to just 538.
In Edinburgh North &Leith, Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm had won an award from journalists for his achievements. Voters, however, did not agree that he was doing a good job and Chisholm saw his vote crash by no less than 8.73 %. In Shetland, Lib Dem Tavish Scott also saw his vote fall by 8.33 %, possibly as backlash from the fishing crisis, during which Scott was honourable enough to resign as a junior minister over the Executive's punitive attacks on the Scottish fishing industry.
In Cumbernauld &Kilsyth, Labour's Cathie Craigie saw her vote crumble by 8.01 in the face of a determined assault by the SNP's Andrew Wilson, who obtained one of the party's best results when he reduced the Labour majority from 4,259 to just 520. Ironically, Wilson's chances of being elected to the second Scottish parliament were sabotaged not by the voters, but by the SNP's own activists who ranked him fifth on the central regional list. A brilliant home goal by the SNP!
In Hamilton South, accident prone Tom McCabe, the ex-Lanarkshire councillor accused of bullying, and ex- Labour Business Manager saw his vote fall by 7.85 %.
There appeared to be no clear reason for a 7.64 % fall in Pauline McNeill's vote in Glasgow Kelvin, apart from possible fall out over suspicious documents 'found' in Baghdad as part of a right-wing conspiracy to get rid of local MP George Galloway who had criticised the illegal war in Iraq. After the election, many pointed out the fact that it was curious Galloway had been suspended before being found guilty of any crime - a fate that had escaped Tony Blair's personal friend, the twice disgraced cabinet Minister Peter Mandelson, ex First Minister Henry McLeish, Dr John Reid who had been investigated by the Westminster authorities, or numerous other New Labour MPs. Many were astonished that George Galloway could be suspended for merely voicing his opinion, while Tony Blair, who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians in an illegal war, continues to escape prosecution as a war criminal.
While Enterprise Minister Iain Gray lost his seat to the Tories in Edinburgh Pentlands and ex-Finance Minister Angus MacKay lost his seat to the Lib Dems in Edinburgh South, Finance Minister Andy Kerr merely received a warning shot over his bows from the electorate in East Kilbride as 7.59 % of them decided to vote for somebody else.
In East Lothian, sacked junior Minister John Home Robertson saw his vote fall by 7.29 %, while in Aberdeen Central, junior Minister Lewis MacDonald lost 6.29 % to other parties. Both had been badly tainted by their close association with the disastrous Holyrood building project whose costs have soared out of control. During the election campaign, Independent MSP Margo MacDonald had released a report which suggested that incompetence and possible nepotism had marred the project. An full enquiry was promised by jack McConnell. Voters wanted to know why McConnell had not demanded this while serving as Finance Minister?
In Glasgow Govan, Gordon Jackson, who has continued to work as a QC and even flew off on holiday during the election campaign, saw his vote fall by 6.25 %. Luckily for Jackson, the Scottish Socialists were around. Ironically in Govan, as in several other constituencies, they saved the skin of Labour MSPs by pulling votes away from Scottish National Party challangers. Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP saw the SSP vote increase by 6.38 % while her own vote fell by 5.43 %, allowing Gordon Jackson a second term with a reduced majority of 1,235.
Despite a fall of 4.64 % in Labour's most marginal seat, Dundee West, Kate MacLean was re-elected with a majority of 1,006, as independent candidate Ian Borthwick polled 18.86 %, taking 8.48 % from the SNP's Irene McGugan. However, in Aberdeen South, the tables were turned and despite a fall of 2.25 % in the SNP vote, Brian Adam won the seat from Labour's Elaine Thomson.
While 44 MSPs saw their vote slide in the new six party electoral system, no less than 29 managed to increase their vote. Twenty one of them had been elected in 1999, two had won their seats in by elections, and six won their seats in 2003.
In Ochil, the SNP's George Reid increased his vote by 0.13 % and won the seat from Dr Richard Simpson, the Labour Minister who resigned after allegedly referring to striking fire fighters as 'fascist bastards. George Reid went on to succeed Lord Steel of Aikwood as Presiding Officer of the new Parliament.
In Banff &Buchan, Stewart Stevenson managed to increase by 0.27 % the vote that Alex Salmond had obtained in 1999, while in Tayside North, SNP John Swinney saw his vote increase by 0.78 %.
In Falkirk West, Dennis Canavan again achieved the largest majority in the parliament, this time 10,000 votes and saw his share increase by 0.71 % on 1999. In neighbouring Falkirk East, Labour's Cathie Peattie increased her vote by 7.00 %, perhaps shrugging off the 'Canavan factor' which had spilled over from Falkirk West in 1999.
In Ayr, John Scott not only held the seat, but saw the Tory share of the vote increase by 2.71 % on that polled by Phil Gallie in 1999.
There was more irony in Dundee East where the SSP had stood down and decided not to oppose Labour's John McAllion, one of the party's most talented MSPs, and a man of integrity. The SSP tactic rebounded as while in other constituencies the SSP sabotaged the SNP's chances of taking Labour seats, in Dundee East the anti Labour vote was not split. The SNP's Shona Robison increased her vote by 5.32 % and won Dundee East with a majority of 90.
In Dumfries, Elaine Murray fought off a strong Tory challenge, managing to increase he own vote by 3.23 % in the process. In neighbouring Galloway &Upper Nithsdale, the SNP's Alasdair Morgan was not so lucky. Alex Fergusson increased the Tory vote by 8.02 % and won the seat by just 99 votes, emanating the 2001 Westminster result where 'Blue' Peter Duncan has won Galloway &Upper Nithsdale by just 74 votes.
The sweetest victory for the Tories was undoubtedly in Edinburgh Pentlands where their leader David McLetchie increased his vote by 8.28 % and unseated Labour Enterprise Minister Iain Gray, by a margin of 2,111 votes.
Edinburgh proved to be a disaster area for Labour as in neighbouring Edinburgh South, Margo MacDonald was no longer standing. As in Dundee East, the anti Labour vote co-alesced around a single candidate, this time Lib Dem Mike Pringle, who increased his vote by 9.74 %, and unseated former Finance Minister Angus MacKay by just 158 votes. Ironically, in winning a constituency, the Lib Dems lost their Lothians list seat, which went to the SSP's Colin Fox, thus explaining his victory dance.
The best Labour result was achieved by First Minister Jack McConnell, who saw his vote increase by 8.21 %, a personal triumph on a day when he lost six of his former colleagues, including three ministers and former ministers.
Five Liberal Democrats saw their votes increase by over 8 %. In addition to Mike Pringle in Edinburgh South, Iain Smith saw his vote increase by 8.22 % in Fife North East, Mike Rumbles increase of 10.08 % mean Aberdeenshire West &Kincardine was no longer a Lib Dem - Tory marginal. After a close challenge from Donnie Munro in 1999, one of the parliaments most respected members, John Farquhar Monro, saw his vote increase by 10.23 % in Ross, Skye &Inverness West. Meanwhile, in Aberdeen South, previously a Tory - Labour marginal which the Lib Dems won in 1999, Nicol Stephen saw his vote increase by no less than 13.31 %.
Pride of place goes to Dr Jean Turner who won Strathkelvin &Bearsden with 31.10 % of the vote. Although Dr Turner did not contest the seat in 1999, her result was not from a flying start as she contested the by-election in June 2001 following the retiral of Dr Sam Galbraith, coming second with 18.2 % of the vote. In May 2001 she beat MSP Brian Fitzpatrick by 438 votes in the seat where Labour had obtained their largest majority in 1999. Results like this are normally only seen in by-elections and no seat in Scotland can be classified as safe any longer if even rock solid seats like Strathkelvin &Bearsden can fall in a general election.
| Ranking | % change in vote | MSP | Constituency | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | - 21.68 % | Jim Wallace | Orkney |  |
| 2 | - 15.93 % | Christine May (Henry McLeish in 1999) |
Fife Central |  |
| 3 | - 13.06 % | Bill Butler (Donald Dewar in 1999) |
Glasgow Anniesland | |
| 4 | - 9.88 % | Scott Barrie | Dunfermline West | |
| 5 | - 8.87 % | Lord Watson of Invergowrie | Glasgow Cathcart | |
| 6 | - 8.86 % | Jeremey Purves (Ian Jenkins in 1999) |
Tweedale, Ettrick &Lauderdale | |
| 7 | - 8.73 % | Malcolm Chisholm | Edinburgh North &Leith | |
| 8 | - 8.33 % | Tavish Scott | Shetland | |
| 9 | - 8.01 | Cathie Craigie | Cumbernauld &Kilsyth | |
| 10 | - 7.85 | Tom McCabe | Hamilton South | |
| 11 | - 7.64 % | Pauline McNeill | Glasgow Kelvin | |
| 12 | - 7.59 | Andy Kerr | East Kilbride | |
| 13 | - 7.29 % | John Home Robertson | East Lothian | |
| 14 | - 6.29 % | Lewis MacDonald | Aberdeen Central | |
| 15 | - 6.25 % | Gordon Jackson | Glasgow Govan | |
| 16 | - 6.00 % | Helen Eadie | Dunfermline East | |
| 17 | - 5.66 % | Sarah Boyack | Edinburgh Central | |
| 18 | - 5.39 % | Des McNulty | Clydebank &Milngavie | |
| 19 | - 4.64 % | Kate MacLean | Dundee West | |
| 20 | - 4.91 % | Alasdair Morrison | Western Isles | |
| 21 | - 4.55 % | Hugh Henry | Paisley South | |
| 22 | - 4.42 % | Jamie Stone | Caithness, Sutherland &Easter Ross | |
| 23 | - 4.00 | Margaret Jamieson | Kilmarnock &Loudoun | |
| 24 | - 3.79 % | Irene Oldfather | Cunninghame South | |
| 25 | - 3.74 % | Bristow Muldoon | Livingston | |
| 26 | - 3.39 % | Allan Wilson | Cunninghame North | |
| 27 | - 3.36 % | Mary Mulligan | Linlithgow | |
| 28 | - 3.17 % | Trish Godman | Renfrewshire West | |
| 29 | - 3.10 % | Elaine Smith | Coatbridge &Chryston | |
| 30 | - 2.66 % | Fergus Ewing | Inverness East, Nairn &Lochaber |  |
| 31 | - 2.62 % | Susan Deacon | Edinburgh East &Musselburgh | |
| 32 | - 2.39 % | Roseanna Cunningham | Perth | |
| 33 | - 2.25 % | Brian Adam | Aberdeen North (gain from Labour) |
|
| 34 | - 2.01 % | Andrew Welsh | Angus | |
| 35 | - 1.64 % | Sylvia Jackson | Stirling | |
| 36 | - 1.58 % | Jackie Baillie | Dumbarton | |
| 37 | - 1.52 % | Ken McIntosh | Eastwood | |
| 38 | - 1.49 % | Marilyn Livingstone | Kirkcaldy | |
| 39 | - 1.33 % | Rhona Brankin | Midlothian | |
| 40 | - 0.75 % | Wendy Alexander | Paisley North | |
| 41 | - 0.58 % | Duncan McNeill | Greenock &Inverclyde | |
| 42 | -0.48 % | Janis Hughes | Glasgow Rutherglen | |
| 43 | - 0.46 % | Patricia Ferguson | Glasgow Maryhill | |
| 44 | - 0.29 % | Johan Lamont | Glasgow Pollok | |
| Ranking | % change in vote | MSP | Constituency | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | + 0.11 % | Cathy Jamieson | Carrick, Cumnock &Doon Valley | |
| 46 | + 0.13 % | George Reid | Ochil (gain from Labour) |
|
| 47 | + 0.24 % | George Lyon | Argyll &Bute | |
| 48 | + 0.27 % | Stewart Stevenson | Banff &Buchan (Alex Salmond in 1999) |
|
| 49 | + 0.47 % | Paul Martin | Glasgow Springburn | |
| 50 | + 0.61 % | Euan Robson | Roxburgh &Berwickshire | |
| 51 | + 0.71 % | Dennis Canavan | Falkirk West |  |
| 52 | + 0.78 % | John Swinney | Tayside North | |
| 53 | + 1.33 % | Nora Radcliffe | Gordon | |
| 54 | + 1.43 % | Karen Whitefield | Airdrie &Shotts | |
| 55 | + 2.60 % | Karen Gillon | Clydesdale | |
| 56 | + 2.65 % | Frank McAveety | Glasgow Shettleston | |
| 57 | + 2.71 % | John Scott | Ayr (Phil Gallie in 1999) |
 |
| 58 | + 3.23 % | Elaine Murray | Dumfries | |
| 59 | + 3.39 % | Margaret Ewing | Moray | |
| 60 | + 4.17 % | Michael McMahon | Hamilton North &Bellshill | |
| 61 | + 5.25 % | Margaret Curran | Glasgow Baillieston | |
| 62 | + 5.32 % | Shona Robison | Dundee East (gain from Labour) |
|
| 63 | + 6.88 % | Margaret Smith | Edinburgh West | |
| 64 | + 7.00 % | Cathie Peattie | Falkirk East | |
| 65 | + 8.02 % | Alex Fergusson | Galloway &Upper Nithsdale (gain from SNP) |
|
| 66 | + 8.21 % | Jack McConnell | Motherwell &Wishaw | |
| 67 | + 8.22 % | Iain Smith | Fife North East | |
| 68 | + 8.28 % | David McLetchie | Edinburgh Pentlands (gain from Labour) |
|
| 69 | + 9.74 % | Mike Pringle | Edinburgh South (gain from Labour) |
|
| 70 | + 10.08 % | Mike Rumbles | Aberdeenshire West &Kincardine | |
| 71 | + 10.23 % | John Farquhar Monro | Ross, Skye &Inverness West | |
| 72 | + 13.31 % | Nicol Stephen | Aberdeen South | |
| 73 | (+ 31.10) | Dr Jean Turner | Strathkelvin &Bearsden (gain from Labour) |
 |
Return to home page