The Scottish National Party (SNP) has suffered a crushing defeat north of Hadrian’s Wall with the party winning just nine seats in the general election.
Labour swept to power across Scotland, scything away the SNP’s seats in Westminster, though the final result will not be in until Saturday owing to a recount in Inverness, Skye, and West Ross-shire.
First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney said the party would have a period of “soul searching” after what he described as a “very poor” performance.
He added that the SNP has to be “better at governing on behalf of the people of Scotland,” saying the party is not “winning the argument” on Scottish independence.
Mr. Swinney said: “I have to accept that we failed to convince people of the urgency of independence in this election campaign.
“Therefore, we need to take the time to consider and to reflect on how we deliver our commitment to independence—which remains absolute.
“As somebody who has devoted their entire adult life to the winning of Scottish independence—not for an abstract reason, but because I believe it will transform the lives of our people for the better—we need to get that approach correct in the forthcoming period.
“I accept that we need to engage with, listen to, and learn from the people of Scotland on how we take forward our arguments for independence.”
Labour’s leader in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, said he was “absolutely delighted” and thanked the people of Scotland for “putting their faith and trust in the Scottish Labour Party.”
He said, “I understand their desire for change, I know there’ll be a huge sigh of relief that we finally ended 14 years of total chaos and failure.”
Mr. Sarwar added that the first minister “has got a lot of reflecting to do on a lot of things” following his party’s calamitous night.
“He spent the entire six weeks attacking the Labour Party because it seems the only person more depressed at the thought of the Tory government ending and the Labour government was John Swinney and the SNP,” he said.
“You can see the verdict of the Scottish people, both to his approach in this election campaign but also the SNP’s approach to government, where they have failed far too many people.”
The SNP did beat outgoing Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, but it was one of just a handful of victories.
Mr. Ross was running in place of former MP David Duguid, who was barred from standing by party bosses owing to ill health.
His decision—which reversed an announcement he would not seek reelection to Westminster—was met with criticism from opponents and some within his own party.
Following his defeat, Mr. Ross suggested to the BBC that votes for Reform UK had gifted the seat to the nationalists.
Jo Hart came third with 5,562 votes for Reform, while Mr. Ross trailed his SNP rival under 1,000.
The loss leaves the Tories with five Scottish seats, putting them level pegging with the Lib Dems north of the border, who have so far won three more seats than 2019.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Across the UK our wins make this the best result since our party was founded, demolishing the blue wall and toppling huge chunks of the acid yellow wall of the SNP.
“There are far more liberals than nationalists on the benches of the House of Commons today.”
Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie thanked people who voted for his party, despite winning zero seats.
