It was a 'near death experience' says Highlands Labour MSP
The Highlands and Islands' new - and not so new MSPs - have given their reactions following the declaration of results.
Kate Forbes (SNP Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch): It is an honour to stand here and I promise to work hard and be a strong voice for this constituency. To stand up for Highland interests, to attract investment in our infrastructure and to enhance our services. To work with compassion and honesty in the relentless pursuit of social justice and in the awareness that I will one day give a full account of every word I say and every action that I do.
Maree Todd (SNP regional list): I’m delighted. I was very calm. With the list you can’t guess what is going to happen. We had some anxious moments towards the end but I’m delighted.
David Stewart (Scottish Labour regional list): It was clearly a closely run thing in my case. I came to the seventh round, the very last to be elected. I realised it was going to be a tight contest for Labour and obviously I’m a veteran, I have seen the highs and the lows but to be frank I didn’t think I would get re-elected when I arrived at the count. I’m delighted to be given another chance to serve the parliament and hopefully use my experience as much as I can to promote issues such as road safety and continue to be diabetes champion and a host of other things I have done in the past. For me it is about looking after the Highlands and Islands and doing everything I can to serve the community in the Scottish Parliament. I’m delighted to have a second chance, it was perhaps a near death experience but these things happen.
Douglas Ross (Scottish Conservative regional list): I’m delighted I’m now a member of the Scottish Parliament and it doesn’t get much better than that. We have never had three [in the Highlands and Islands] so tonight is a great result for the Scottish Conservatives. There are a whole raft of issues like broadband connectivity, mobile phone connections and infrastructure which have come up time and time again and we have to hold the SNP government to account. People will now see changes because the SNP have got away with things for too long.
