The Scottish National Party suffered a series of ministerial defeats yesterday, dashing its hopes of securing a majority at Holyrood. The Nationalists had aimed to win outright control of the Scottish Parliament to push for a second independence referendum from the start of a fifth term. However, despite emerging as the largest party, they fell seven seats short of the critical 65-seat majority, as several key figures lost their seats.
Angus Robertson's Shock Defeat
Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson was the most significant casualty, finishing a humiliating third in Edinburgh Central. He was defeated by Lorna Slater of the Scottish Greens, marking the Greens' first-ever constituency win. Robertson, a former SNP deputy leader nicknamed 'Airmiles Angus' for his frequent overseas travel, was the only one of seven cabinet secretaries standing for re-election who failed to retain his seat. His defeat took a surreal turn when he found himself standing next to a fringe candidate dressed as a giant gannet at the vote count.
Other Ministerial Losses
Two junior SNP ministers also lost their seats. In Glasgow Southside, a constituency previously held by Nicola Sturgeon, equalities minister Kaukab Stewart was defeated by Green candidate Holly Bruce. Drugs and alcohol policy minister Maree Todd lost in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross to the Liberal Democrats, though she was later returned via the regional list. These losses proved fatal to John Swinney's strategy of winning 65 seats, which relied on holding all 62 constituencies won in 2021.
Despite the setbacks, Swinney insisted the SNP had achieved an 'emphatic' victory, even as the party's vote share declined. He stated, 'Once again the people of Scotland have put their trust in us. However you voted today, I promise that I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland. I give you my commitment that I will work every day to improve your life and make Scotland the nation we know it can be.'
Independence Debate Intensifies
Swinney's decision to centre his campaign on winning a majority risks painting him into a corner, as he cannot claim an unambiguous mandate for the referendum bill and constitutional convention planned for the first 100 days. However, former SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who was elected as MSP for Aberdeen Donside, argued the party should push for a referendum regardless. 'The SNP have always and will always campaign for an independent Scotland. We believe that we should have the right to determine our own democratic future, and that doesn't change,' he said. This could put Flynn, tipped as a future SNP leader, at odds with Swinney if he sidelines independence.
Other Results and Reactions
The SNP also lost the Western Isles to Labour in a surprise upset, but found consolation with a hard-fought win in the Shetland Islands. Former oil industry worker Hannah Mary Goodlad became the first non-Liberal or Liberal Democrat to represent the seat in nearly 80 years, calling her win a 'brand new chapter for Scotland'. Former Nationalist MP Kirsten Oswald took Eastwood from former Tory leader Jackson Carlaw.
Swinney had predicted earlier in the week that Robertson, who also lost his seat in the 2017 general election, would remain an MSP. 'Angus has been a very close colleague and a minister and friend of mine. I'm very sorry he won't be joining us in the Scottish parliament,' Swinney said. Slater, a former co-leader of the Scottish Greens and Scottish Government minister, won with a majority of 4,582 over Labour's James Dalgleish, with Robertson trailing almost 400 votes behind. Rival parties suggested Robertson's failure to hold regular face-to-face constituency surgeries contributed to his defeat.
Former Nationalist MP Joanna Cherry, who was blocked from becoming the Edinburgh Central candidate in 2021 to clear the way for Robertson, described his defeat as 'shocking'. She told the BBC, 'There's a great disaffection in the SNP central branch – a great feeling that Angus wasn't really doing anything to advance the cause of independence.' In a polished concession speech that suggested he had anticipated defeat, Robertson said the win for a fellow 'progressive' was a small consolation. 'We dust ourselves down, we pick ourselves up, and we keep going. I'm confident the Scottish parliament will again have a majority of members committed to Scotland's right to choose its future as an independent country. In the meantime, there is a bright silver lining to today's result for me, which is I will have more time to spend with my wife and daughters,' he added.
