Edinburgh North and Leith has announced their winning candidate for the 2017 UK General Election:

Deidre Brock the MP for Edinburgh North and Leith

At 3.45 am the winning candidate was declared to be the SNP’s Deidre Brock.

2017 General Election Votes for Candidates:

Deidre Leanne Brock, Scottish National Party (SNP) 19,243

Iain McGill,  Scottish Conservative and Unionist 15,385

Gordon John Munro, Labour and Co-operative Party 17,618

Martin Veart, Scottish Liberal Democrats 2,579

Lorna Slater Scottish Green Party 1,727

Despite a loss for the SNP in the Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014 the SNP seized power from Labour in 2015.

Referencing the Conservative party Deidre commented in her victory speech : “There is not a more important time for good people to stand against the uncaring mob.”   She congratulated her campaign manager for assisting her to once again take power in Edinburgh for the SNP.

Labour’s Mark Lazarowicz had held the constituency for three terms since 2001. The Scottish National Party took control of this constituency with a total of 40.9% of the votes in favour of Deirdre Brock, up from 9.6% in 2010. Deidre was the local councillor at the time and Depute Lord Provost.

Much like Edinburgh East, Edinburgh North and Leith demonstrated the significant change in Scottish voting habits after the referendum. This monumental change placed Scottish Labour at just 31.3% of the vote. However, Scottish Conservatives and Unionists have increased in the area, taking home a total 16.2% of the vote in 2015. Edinburgh voted in favour to remain within the European Union in June 2016 with 73% of the city voting to stay.

Edinburgh North and Leith encompasses large areas of social disconnect. It covers the more affluent areas of Stockbridge and the New Town to the west of the border as well as Granton, Leith and Newhaven to the East. This constituency also includes the Western General Hospital, the second largest hospital in the city.

The voter turnout in 2015 was 71.8% (58,088 votes cast) for Edinburgh North and Leith as opposed to 71.25% this time.

 

 

 

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Local Journalist and Writer based in Edinburgh @ryan_latto