Election in the United Kingdom - Last constituency in Great Britain counted
With the counting of a constituency in Scotland, the result of the British Parliament election is finally determined. The seat for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire goes to Angus MacDonald from the Liberal Democrats, making them now 72 Members of Parliament (MPs), the most they have ever had. The votes had to be recounted twice due to statistical uncertainties. This result means another disappointment for the Scottish National Party (SNP). They now send only 9 MPs to the House of Commons in London, down from 48 previously.
The SNP result is also a harsh blow for supporters of Scottish independence. Scottish First Minister John Swinney had vowed to push for independence if his party won the most seats in Scotland. The strategy backfired: The SNP lost numerous constituencies, particularly to the Labour Party, whose leader Keir Starmer is the new Prime Minister.
Labour is represented by 412 MPs in the House of Commons in London. The Conservatives of former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have 121 seats, the fewest they have ever had. The right-wing Reform UK Party of Brexit champion Nigel Farage enters Parliament with five members for the first time. The Greens and the Welsh independence party Plaid Cymru each hold four seats.
More than half of the total 650 MPs are sitting in the House for the first time. With 40%, the proportion of women is higher than ever. The youngest MP, 22-year-old Sam Carling from the Labour Party, holds the humorous title "Baby of the House."
SNP loses significant trust
SNP leader Swinney called the worst SNP result since 2010 "very, very difficult and damaging" for his party. "I must admit that we failed to convince the people of the urgency of independence during this campaign." In polls, supporters and opponents of Scottish independence are still evenly matched.
Commentators emphasized that other issues were more important to people in Scotland during this election. Additionally, the SNP has lost significant trust. The husband of long-term First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was responsible for party finances, is embroiled in a scandal involving the misuse of campaign funds. Sturgeon's successor Humza Yousaf clashed with the Greens, who were coalition partners in the government, and resigned after just over a year in office.
Seat distribution in the British Parliament
- Despite the counting in a Scottish constituency, the Scottish National Party (SNP) suffered a significant setback in the Parliamentary election, resulting in only 9 MPs being sent to the House of Commons in London.
- The result of the British Parliamentary election was determined following a recount in Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, with the seat going to Angus MacDonald from the Liberal Democrats.
- With this outcome, the Liberal Democrats increased their number of Members of Parliament (MPs) to 72, marking their highest representation ever in the House of Commons in London.
- John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister and SNP leader, admitted that his party failed to convey the urgency of independence during the campaign, which contributed to their disappointing performance in the election.
- The seat distribution in the British Parliament now sees Labour represented by 412 MPs, making their leader, Keir Starmer, the new Prime Minister of Great Britain.
- The counting of votes in this crucial constituency indicated a shift in power, with numerous constituencies in Scotland being won by the Labour Party, resulting in a harsh blow for the Scottish National Party (SNP).
