General Election 2019: Crushing SNP victory as Alan Brown retains Kilmarnock and Loudoun seat
The results were announced at the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock early this morning.
Colin Paterson
Alan Brown alongside wife Cyndi and SNP supporters after retaining his Kilmarnock and Loudoun seat (Image: Tigarstorm Photography)
Alan Brown has been re-elected as Kilmarnock and Loudoun's MP this morning after clinching more than half the vote to double his majority.
The 49-year-old stormed to victory for the SNP at the Galleon Centre in Kilmarnock to successfully defend the seat he first won four-and-a-half years ago.
Mr Brown picked up a 50.8 per cent share of the vote – up 8.5 per cent on 2017 – to earn a majority of 12,659.
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However, while he enjoyed his resounding success, Mr Brown admitted it was "bittersweet" as the Conservatives return to power with a thumping majority from which they can deliver Brexit by January 31, 2020.
He told the Kilmarnock Standard: "I'm over the moon. I knew I started as favourite but as a Kilmarnock fan, I don't like being a favourite!
"It's still all about doing the hard work and making sure the voters come out and I'm just so proud that so many people came and voted for me. It's a tremendous honour.
Returning officer Fiona Lees delivers the Kilmarnock and Loudoun result (Image: Tigarstorm Photography)
"I never thought I would get as big a majority but the most important thing is winning and being able to represent the constituency.
"Politics in Scotland and England is clearly diverging. England is voting for a right-wing Conservative government and we're rejecting that government out of sight.
"The electing of a majority Conservative government makes this bittersweet. We were hoping for a good performance from the SNP and possibly help by having the levers of power to keep Boris Johnson out.
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"I think tonight is a watershed moment for the United Kingdom. It's clear to see that politics in Scotland and the rest of the UK is completely different."
The result was declared by returning officer Fiona Lees at 1.55am and beyond Mr Brown's win, there was an eye-catching race to finish best of the rest.
In the end, the Conservatives claimed second place in the constituency for the first time since 1987 with Caroline Hollins more than 2,500 votes ahead of Labour's Kevin McGregor.
There were 74,517 voters eligible to vote in the election.
Turnout was 63.9 per cent which was up 0.5 per cent on the figure produced in 2017.
Kilmarnock and Loudoun result...
Alan Brown SNP 24,216
Caroline Hollins Conservative 11,557
Kevin McGregor Labour 9,009
Ed Thornley Lib Dems 2,444
Stef Johnstone Libertarians 405
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