Latest headlines
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Victory for the SNP with 63 seats - two short of a majority
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Conservatives are the second largest party on 31 seats - but Labour on 24 lost 13 seats
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Scottish Greens are the fourth largest party with six seats, ahead of the Lib Dems who won five
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See the changing political map of Scotland
Scoreboard
| Party | Candidates | Votes | % | Net percentage change in seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Party
CON Scottish Conservatives |
Candidates John Lamont | Votes 18,257 | 55.2% | Net percentage change in seats +10.3 |
|
Party
SNP Scottish National Party |
Candidates Paul Wheelhouse | Votes 10,521 | 31.8% | Net percentage change in seats +5.4 |
|
Party
LD Scottish Lib Dems |
Candidates Jim Hume | Votes 2,551 | 7.7% | Net percentage change in seats −9.6 |
|
Party
LAB Scottish Labour |
Candidates Barrie Cunning | Votes 1,766 | 5.3% | Net percentage change in seats −5.0 |
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Change compared with 2011 |
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Turnout and Majority
Scottish Conservatives Majority
7,736Turnout
60.7%Constituency Profile
Although the landscape of this seat is mainly rural, it also includes the sizeable market towns of Selkirk, Hawick, Kelso and Jedburgh, which are also famous for their rugby teams. Hawick grew up around the textile trade. Tweed cloth has been the prime export, and is the home of the Lyle & Scott and Pringle knitwear companies since the 19th century.
The decline in the textile industry has had a big impact on the local economy. Employment opportunities in the area have been badly affected by the downturn. Kelso's Georgian elegance and famous ruined abbey bring tourists who also take to the walking routes of Kielder Forest and the Cheviot hills.
Euan Robson took the constituency for the Liberal Democrats in the 1999 Holyrood election and won it again in 2003. But at the 2007 poll, the seat went to the Tories with John Lamont becoming its MSP, winning again in 2011.