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.
SNP holds Clydesdale
Humiliation for Labour in Scotland
As things stand
Tory winner calls Reform ‘handmaiden’ of SNP
We will have a parliament that will be unrepresentative of the people. For this time, the Greens have been overtaken as an enabler by Reform who have no interest in Scotland, no interest in the UK, no interest in beating the SNP. They are the handmaiden of the SNP and their biggest cheerleader is John Swinney.
SNP set to lose Sturgeon’s old seat
Third and bird: Angus Robertson loses out
Breaking:East and West, the votes keep coming
Malcolm Offord now has five cars, six houses, six boats and 5,649 votes…
Breaking:SNP holds Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Breaking:Lib Dem leader Cole-Hamilton holds seat
Breaking:Three more seats declared
Breaking:Five more seats decided
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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
