The polls have closed and the counting has begun. Later today, we will know just who has come out on top in the Scottish elections as the results start dropping in. Early indications are that John Swinney and the SNP will fall short of a majority. But will that open the door to another coalition with the Greens?
The rival parties are eyeing up 70 constituency seats, elected by the first-past-the-post method. There are a further eight electoral regions each with seven additional MSPs based on a form of proportional voting. In total, 129 parliamentarians are elected.
The magic number for a majority is, therefore, 65 but while that looks unlikely, there could be a pro-independence majority if the SNP and Greens were to share power once again. And that could pile more pressure on Keir Starmer over the prospect of IndyRef2.
Reform say Scottish success is ‘a stepping stone’ for future… and refuse to listen to Tory criticism
PAUL SINCLAIR: For a man without a plan, gimmicks and grins were never going to be enough for Anas Sarwar and Labour
Tomorrow’s front page today…
JOHN MACLEOD: It’s not the fault of either Farage or Offord that ‘Vote Reform, Get SNP’ proved prescient
With their main rivals at STV on strike, the Beeb had a clear run at the experts and splurged couchfuls of them across studios in Glasgow and at Holyrood…
They are still counting – and you can watch.
The final countdown… goes on and on
The battle for second place could have interesting consequences…
So, why are we waiting?
Where did everyone go, Malcolm?
Breaking:Regional result for Central Scotland and Lothians West is in…
Russell Findlay ‘disappointed’ to have lost colleagues… and points finger at Reform
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Regional result for West Scotland is in… with Russell Findlay, Malcolm Offord and Ross Greer all elected
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All 73 constituency results are in…
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Watch the Mail’s top team discuss the ramifications of the election…
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Russell Findlay: What we warned would happen is exactly what has happened
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Swinney claims SNP has ‘won emphatically’
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Douglas Ross says Reform ‘missed a trick’
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Tory winner calls Reform ‘handmaiden’ of SNP
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Angus Robertson third as Lorna Slater wins Edinburgh Central
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The state of play so far
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Stephen Flynn plays down his ambitions
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John Swinney says SNP wins are ‘precious’
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Tories blame Reform for SNP win in Aberdeen
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Anas Sarwar under pressure
