Scottish Parliament election results: Tories beat Labour into second place in Scotland as SNP misses out on majority but rules out a coalition
The SNP's Nicola Sturgeon has ruled out a coalition after the part won all but two of the seats it needed for a majority, while Labour has found itself losing ground in the Scottish Parliament election results – with many seats falling to Conservative candidates.
The counts put SNP at 63 seats.
Scottish Labour, on the other hand, has been figuratively shoved aside, holding 24 seats – a drop of 13 on the last election and its worst results since devolution according to reports.
The Conservatives, meanwhile, are on 31 – up 16 and their best result ever.
Congratulations to @Ruth_E_Davidson on this historic result: she is a leader who will stand up to the SNP & give Scotland strong opposition.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) May 6, 2016
Sturgeon told reporters at STV television network: "We're not so much beating Labour as replacing them. At this stage I'm expecting a very good night".
She also called the result a "historic" victory, although the party has lost six seats.
The SNP has tonight won an historic third term as Scotland's government. I pledge to be First Minister for all of Scotland. #SP16
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 6, 2016
The First Minister also won her seat in Glasgow Southside.
.@theSNP HQ goes wild as @NicolaSturgeon is re-elected as MSP for Glasgow Southside #SP16 pic.twitter.com/Roa5HauJS7
— Alex Aitchison (@alexaitch) May 6, 2016
.@NicolaSturgeon holds Glasgow Southside! #SP16 pic.twitter.com/byyGtAkwPb
— The SNP (@theSNP) May 6, 2016
The Conservative win in the constituency of Eastwood will have come as a particularly harsh blow to Labour, with Jackson Carlaw ousting Ken Macintosh from the now-former Labour stronghold.
Macintosh told STV: "The Labour party has had a very difficult time since the referendum. I think we are starting to win the arguments but we aren't winning the votes."
Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson won the Edinburgh Central seat.
Lib Dems have gained no seats, leaving the party with five. The Green Party has gained four seats, including the West of Scotland region seat for Ross Greer, taking the party to a total of six.
We’ve just elected Scotland’s youngest MSP ever. @Ross_Greer is in! #SP16 pic.twitter.com/XTzcEbacJD
— Scottish Greens (@scottishgreens) May 6, 2016
Lib Dem arty leader Willie Rennie clinched the seat in North East Fife from the SNP's Roderick Campbell.
According to the BBC, turnout for the election was 55.5 per cent.
Poll counters have been busy working away to determine results at local elections elsewhere in the UK. However, the result of the London Mayoral election is not expected until much later on.
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