Arthur’s seat: Labour's Scott Arthur defeats SNP's Joanna Cherry in Edinburgh South West
Councillor Arthur overturned a near 12 thousand majority in the seat
Last updated 5th Jul 2024
Labour's Scott Arthur has unseated the SNP's Joanna Cherry, overturning a near 12 thousand majority in Edinburgh South West.
Mr Arthur will now step down as a councillor and the capital's transport convener following his win with a majority of 6,217.
In his victory speech, he admitted he was surprised to have come out on top.
"It is truly humbling to have won. We did not come here tonight expecting to win. I cannot believe it.
"I want to thank everyone who voted for me - I will absolutely not let you down.
"I am very mindful that only a minority voted for me, I have a won a minority vote. But I am here to represent everyone in the constituency whether you voted for me or not. I am here."
The Edinburgh South West seat was one of Scotland's knife-edge seats between SNP and Labour in this election.
Scott Arthur - Scottish Labour Party: 18,663
Joanna Cherry - Scottish National Party (SNP): 12,446
Sue Webber - Scottish Conservative and Unionist: 5,558
Dan Heap - Scottish Greens: 3,450
Bruce Roy Wilson - Scottish Liberal Democrats: 3,014
Ian Harper - Reform UK: 2,087
Richard Crewe Lucas - Scottish Family Party: 265
Marc Richard Wilkinson - Independent: 181
Labour majority 6,217
Turnout: 62.09%
Elsewhere, Former cabinet minister Douglas Alexander has won for Labour in East Lothian.
His win with 23,555 votes marks a return to politics after losing his seat in 2015 to Mhairi Black in one of the major upsets of the night.
The East Lothian seat was previously held by Kenny MacAskill who won it for the SNP before defecting to Alba.