Local MSP Delighted with Strong Support at Polls

Stewart Stevenson has thanked Banffshire & Buchan Coast constituents who turned out on Thursday to re-elect him as their local MSP.

The SNP candidate was re-elected with a huge 15,802 vote, representing 55.1% of all votes cast. This means the SNP’s track record at Scottish General Elections in Banffshire & Buchan Coast and the predecessor Banff & Buchan constituency of always having attracted the support of more than 50% of those who voted is maintained.

Commenting on the result, Stewart Stevenson said:

“I’m delighted with the strong support shown once again to the SNP by the people of this constituency and I wish to record my thanks to those who took the trouble to vote for me.

“While the SNP has continued its strong track record of always recording over 50% of the vote in Scottish General Elections locally, we take no-one’s support for granted and believe it has to be earned at each and every election. That is why our dedicated teams of volunteers in each community in Banffshire & Buchan Coast are so important in taking our message to the doorsteps and I thank each and every one of them – and there are many more of them these days – for their efforts.

“Nationally, the SNP achieved its highest-ever level of support in a Scottish General Election with over 1,059,000 votes on the constituency ballot, up from 902,000 in 2011. That’s more votes than the Tories and Labour combined.

“Under an electoral system that was specifically designed to stop any party obtaining a majority, the SNP managed to come within two seats of doing so for a second time. That is truly humbling support from the electorate.

“I thank all who voted for me. And promise those that didn't that I will be there for them when they need me.

“The election is over. The hard work of the next five years starts now.”