SNP’s Grahame tells of ‘double whammy’

A BEAMING Scot Nat Christine Grahame dealt what she described as a “double whammy” in her victory in the new Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Constituency, writes Bob Burgess.

Her win – with a majority of 4,924 over defending Lib Dem Jeremy Purvis – leaves the Borders without a Lib Dem MSP and Midlothian without a Labour MSP since the re-birth of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

Grahame coasted to victory as the Lib Dem vote collapsed with disgruntled party followers switching their allegiance to the SNP.

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Although the result wasn’t declared until around 8.45 this morning it had been obvious from around 3am that Graham had taken the seat.

It realised the long-serving South of Scotland List MSP’s ambition to secire a first-past-the-post triumph.

She declared: “The word historic is used too often, but this has been a historic night for Scotland.

“For the first time there is no Borders Lib Dem at Holyrood and for the first no Midlothian Labour MSP at Holyrood. That’s what I call a double whammy.”

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Ousted Purvis said he remained a very, very proud Liberal and proud to be a member of a movevement which, although it had taken a battering, would return with the help of young people.

Purves delayed his arrival at the count until 5.35am. When I pressed him pressed that the result was already quite clear and it been a disaster locally and across the country, he refused to use the word ‘disaster’, but admitted: “The people do not want me and I respect that absolutely. Overall, it will take the next few hours, days and weeks to come to grips with what has happened.”

Perhaps by accident or design, Purvis was not wearing a party rosette.

RESULT

Peter Duncan (Scottish Conservative and Unionist) - 3,743

Christine Grahame (Scottish National Party) - 13,855

Ian Miller (Scottish Labour Party) - 5,312

Jeremy Purvis (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 8,931

MAJORITY 4924.

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