Fabiani wins SNP gain over Labour
Former Labour ministers Andy Kerr and Tom McCabe have lost their seats in the Scottish election.
Mr Kerr lost his East Kilbride seat with a 6.6% swing to the SNP.
The former health minister had held the seat since 1999, but was beaten by the nationalist’s Linda Fabiani.
And Tom McCabe also lost his Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency to the SNP’s Christina McKelvie, who got 48% of the vote. He said he was shocked by the result.
He lost with 9,989 votes to Ms McKelvie, who secured 12,202 votes amid an 18% surge in support for her party.
The change represents a notional swing of 11% from Labour to the SNP.
Mr McCabe had held the seat since 1999.
The former minister under Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell, said: “We’ll learn our lesson and we will do our best to come back.”
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After the East Kilbride result, Linda Fabiani said: “I want to thank the people of East Kilbride that have shown today that they believe in the record and vision of the SNP.
“It is that vision that keeps us all working so hard. I feel very, very privileged.”
Mr Kerr thanked the Labour team, adding: “Can I also thank the people of East Kilbride for 12 years of their support.
“I worked hard for them, on their behalf, and I represented their views in the Scottish Parliament. I wish Linda Fabiani every success in her job.”
The result was decided with a 51% turnout in a constituency of 58,251 voters.
Conservative Graham Simpson received 2,260 votes, while Liberal Democrat Douglas Herbison won just 468.
The SNP won with a majority of 1,949 over Labour, and received a notional swing of about 6%.
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