Today's most viewed Labour ministers celebrate return, even as outcome remains uncertain STEWART PATERSON and MARTYN McLAUGHLIN
MINISTERS in the last Labour-led administration were this morning celebrating victory after receiving confirmation of their return to Holyrood.
As elsewhere in Scotland, technical problems marred the count at four constituencies in Lanarkshire, but Andy Kerr, Health Minister, received an interim result which suggested he retained the seat with a majority of around 2000.
Similarly, Tom McCabe, the Executive's finance minister, said he believed he had "put 700 on to the Labour vote" in his Hamilton South seat.
The returning officer for the count said that all papers must be scanned for all the constituencies before a final result could be issued, but the interim results were delivered at 1.45am. The final result were not expected for several hours afterwards. The exact nature of the technical problem was not explained.
After receiving the interim result, Mr Kerr said: "I feel great. It is a privilege to represent East Kilbride, the place where I was brought up. I will seek to do the best I can in that role.
"Rumours of my political death have been exaggerated. I was not overly worried. As a candidate you are always worried, but that's what makes you work. Never at any time did I think that we were going to lose this campaign."
Mr McCabe, meanwhile, said: "I am very pleased with the result. We have put 700 on to the Labour vote which is very encouraging under the circumstances.
"Given what we have been hearing in the last few weeks to maintain our 3500 majority is very pleasing.
"I always thought we would keep the seat. We have been getting good feedback throughout the campaign. The turnout was disappointing and I think we would have done even better had there been a better turnout.
"Overall, we have held Cumbernauld which was the SNP's number one target. We also held Kelvin which was written off by many."
Mr McCabe's victory, although never in doubt, was confirmed in the early hours of the morning. In Renfrewshire against earlier predictions Hugh Henry, education minister, and Trish Godman, the parliament's deputy presiding officer and candidate for presiding officer, held Paisley South and Renfrewshire West for Labour.
Annabel Goldie, the leader of the Scottish Tories, ran Ms Godman close but after a week of a focused Labour campaign Ms Godman emerged at the top of the poll.
As expected Wendy Alexander held Paisley North. On the east coast, Rhona Brankine, the communities minister, held Midlothian for Labour.
No high-profile Labour figure had lost their seat by 4.30 am but the SNP were celebrating their gains.
Referring to the SNP gains in Gordon, Govan, Central Fife, Dundee West and Stirling, campaign manager Angus Robertson said: "These are sensational results, giving the SNP our first seat in Glasgow in a national election, first gain from the Liberals, first seat in Fife, first SNP city, and first breakthrough in a former Labour/Tory marginal in Stirling.
"It's clear that this election has a long, long way to run - not least because the SNP list vote is performing extremely strongly," he added.
Margaret Curran, the minister for the Parliament, comfortably won Glasgow Baillieston and Patricia Ferguson, the Culture Minister, saw off rivals in Glasgow Maryhill.
12:44am Friday 4th May 2007  Print  Email this  CommentPosted by: Jason4queen, Ayrshire on 12:52pm Fri 4 May 07 Where are you "R MacLeod, David Elescoses, Mhairi, and all the other SNP drones who where here for weeks?.
It seems the SNP voters cannot even tell what is a cross and what is a number.
Still it proves also that it wasnt just the Party who where wrong in saying that Scotland would want a Poll Tax. But the above named and all the others who where claiming 50 seats, just cannot count.
Never again will SNP come so close. Even with you hating Blair, Iraq, Trident, etc. You couldnt do it with your wonderful 40 - 50 seats.
It is not over yet, but you will not reach the 40 - 50 seats I heard about on here day in day out.
Where are you "R MacLeod, David Elescoses, Mhairi, and all the other SNP drones who where here for weeks?.
It seems the SNP voters cannot even tell what is a cross and what is a number.
Still it proves also that it wasnt just the Party who where wrong in saying that Scotland would want a Poll Tax. But the above named and all the others who where claiming 50 seats, just cannot count.
Never again will SNP come so close. Even with you hating Blair, Iraq, Trident, etc. You couldnt do it with your wonderful 40 - 50 seats.
It is not over yet, but you will not reach the 40 - 50 seats I heard about on here day in day out.
Posted by: Stephen, Glasgow on 12:59pm Fri 4 May 07 Just the sort of illiterate non-sensical ramblings you would expect from someone who sounds as if they believe everything they read in the newspapers. Half the seats haven't even declared yet. Just sit tight or go out and pick some potatoes for a little while and wait for all the results to come in. Just the sort of illiterate non-sensical ramblings you would expect from someone who sounds as if they believe everything they read in the newspapers. Half the seats haven't even declared yet. Just sit tight or go out and pick some potatoes for a little while and wait for all the results to come in. Posted by: graham on 5:25pm Fri 4 May 07 Ooops J4Q a bit closer now, maybe it was you who failed to understand the electoral system. Ooops J4Q a bit closer now, maybe it was you who failed to understand the electoral system. Posted by: The Voice of Reason, A822 on 6:24pm Fri 4 May 07 Jason,
May I say, on behalf of the biggest political party in Scotland, "How does it feel to back a donkey?"
VoR Jason,
May I say, on behalf of the biggest political party in Scotland, "How does it feel to back a donkey?"
VoR Posted by: millie, glasgow on 7:25pm Fri 4 May 07 jason, wee man, go get yersel' a guid drink & droon yer sorrows.
Me, ah'll be celebrating. jason, wee man, go get yersel' a guid drink & droon yer sorrows.
Me, ah'll be celebrating. Posted by: barney on 8:26pm Fri 4 May 07 jason, Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa o my god what a donkey . I didn't think i could feel any better today till i read your comment. Please dont reply i think i will pass out if i laugh anymore. jason, Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa o my god what a donkey . I didn't think i could feel any better today till i read your comment. Please dont reply i think i will pass out if i laugh anymore. Posted by: donald anderson, glasgow on 6:48am Sat 5 May 07 Numpties get it wrong again. Fiddled votes lost in the post Numpties get it wrong again. Fiddled votes lost in the post Posted by: RETIRED....... but still switched on, Future Republic of Alba. on 5:09pm Sat 5 May 07 [quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote:
Where are you "R MacLeod, David Elescoses, Mhairi, and all the other SNP drones who where here for weeks?. It seems the SNP voters cannot even tell what is a cross and what is a number. Still it proves also that it wasnt just the Party who where wrong in saying that Scotland would want a Poll Tax. But the above named and all the others who where claiming 50 seats, just cannot count. Never again will SNP come so close. Even with you hating Blair, Iraq, Trident, etc. You couldnt do it with your wonderful 40 - 50 seats. It is not over yet, but you will not reach the 40 - 50 seats I heard about on here day in day out. [/quote]
Jason Son......every day that passes you prove tae be mair an' mair o' a NUMPTY.
Gie yer e*** a rest and let yer mooth an' fingers dae the talkin' fae noo' oan.......(Oh, No..titter ye not !!)....ye've become a total laughin' stock.dae ye no' see that..........or dae ye need the limelight THAT badly.
Yer a sad wee boay, son !!! Jason4queen wrote:
Where are you "R MacLeod, David Elescoses, Mhairi, and all the other SNP drones who where here for weeks?. It seems the SNP voters cannot even tell what is a cross and what is a number. Still it proves also that it wasnt just the Party who where wrong in saying that Scotland would want a Poll Tax. But the above named and all the others who where claiming 50 seats, just cannot count. Never again will SNP come so close. Even with you hating Blair, Iraq, Trident, etc. You couldnt do it with your wonderful 40 - 50 seats. It is not over yet, but you will not reach the 40 - 50 seats I heard about on here day in day out.
Jason Son......every day that passes you prove tae be mair an' mair o' a NUMPTY.
Gie yer e*** a rest and let yer mooth an' fingers dae the talkin' fae noo' oan.......(Oh, No..titter ye not !!)....ye've become a total laughin' stock.dae ye no' see that..........or dae ye need the limelight THAT badly.
Yer a sad wee boay, son !!! | 
