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Result in sight on Holyrood race Result in sight on Holyrood race
(20 minutes later)
Labour and the SNP are almost neck-and-neck in the race to win the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.Labour and the SNP are almost neck-and-neck in the race to win the 2007 Scottish Parliament election.
The Nationalists made significant gains, including Alex Salmond winning in Gordon and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon taking Glasgow Govan.The Nationalists made significant gains, including Alex Salmond winning in Gordon and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon taking Glasgow Govan.
Labour has a total of 38 seats, The SNP has 34, The Liberal Democrats 12, the Conservatives 10 and the Greens one. Labour has a total of 40 seats, The SNP has 40, The Liberal Democrats 15, the Conservatives 12 and the Greens one.
A number of results were delayed after technical problems caused several counts to be suspended.A number of results were delayed after technical problems caused several counts to be suspended.
In a night of high drama, Mr Salmond took the Gordon seat from the Liberal Democrats, while Ms Sturgeon won Glasgow Govan from Labour.In a night of high drama, Mr Salmond took the Gordon seat from the Liberal Democrats, while Ms Sturgeon won Glasgow Govan from Labour.
The SNP also took Dundee West, Central Fife, Stirling, Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Livingston from Labour.The SNP also took Dundee West, Central Fife, Stirling, Kilmarnock and Loudoun and Livingston from Labour.
Labour's Allan Wilson became the first minister to lose his seat when the Nationalists also claimed the Cunninghame North constituency.Labour's Allan Wilson became the first minister to lose his seat when the Nationalists also claimed the Cunninghame North constituency.
There may be Labour governments and Labour first ministers in the decades to come, but never again will we say that the Labour Party assume that it has a divine right to rule Scotland Alex SalmondSNP leader
Tommy Sheridan, of the left-wing Solidarity Party, also failed to get re-elected, as did Scottish Senior Citizens' Unity Party candidate John Swinburne and Scottish Socialist Carolyn Leckie.Tommy Sheridan, of the left-wing Solidarity Party, also failed to get re-elected, as did Scottish Senior Citizens' Unity Party candidate John Swinburne and Scottish Socialist Carolyn Leckie.
Independent health campaigner Jean Turner was also ousted, after Labour took the crucial Strathkelvin and Bearsden seat.Independent health campaigner Jean Turner was also ousted, after Labour took the crucial Strathkelvin and Bearsden seat.
'Anything's possible'
David Whitton, who formerly worked as a spokesman for the late Donald Dewar, won with a 3,388 majority.David Whitton, who formerly worked as a spokesman for the late Donald Dewar, won with a 3,388 majority.
At 1600 BST the majority of seats had come in and at that point Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said outcomes could now be suggested.At 1600 BST the majority of seats had come in and at that point Scotland's political editor Brian Taylor said outcomes could now be suggested.
In his blog, he speculated: "More gossip. How about 46 Labour (if they make that) plus 16 LibDems (if they make that) plus three Green (if THEY make that.) That adds up to 65.In his blog, he speculated: "More gossip. How about 46 Labour (if they make that) plus 16 LibDems (if they make that) plus three Green (if THEY make that.) That adds up to 65.
"That adds up, just, to a coalition majority. Possible? Right now, almost anything's possible.""That adds up, just, to a coalition majority. Possible? Right now, almost anything's possible."
Ms Sturgeon told BBC Radio Scotland she believed the SNP was likely to be the biggest party in terms of the percentage of votes, but admitted it was difficult to predict whether this would translate into seats. 'Terrific victory'
She added: "We are polling extremely strongly, we're winning seats in areas we've never won before and it's very likely that for the first time ever we will have first-past-the-post representation in every major Scottish city." Alex Salmond said: ?Scotland has changed for good and forever.
Ms Sturgeon also backed calls for an inquiry into the polling problems. "There may be Labour governments and Labour first ministers in the decades to come, but never again will we say that the Labour Party assume that it has a divine right to rule Scotland.
?The Labour Party has no moral authority left to govern Scotland. Last night was a reminder that politicians exist to serve, not just to survive.?
Former Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie retained Edinburgh Pentlands with an increased majority, adding: "It's been a terrific victory for us in this constituency and I couldn't be happier."Former Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie retained Edinburgh Pentlands with an increased majority, adding: "It's been a terrific victory for us in this constituency and I couldn't be happier."
Jack McConnell won Motherwell and WishawJack McConnell won Motherwell and Wishaw
But he expressed disappointment at indications that he would not be joined at Holyrood by a Lothians list MSP and said he was "angry and frustrated" with the counting problems that delayed his result until 0600 BST.But he expressed disappointment at indications that he would not be joined at Holyrood by a Lothians list MSP and said he was "angry and frustrated" with the counting problems that delayed his result until 0600 BST.
The Tories snatched Roxburgh and Berwickshire from the Liberal Democrats, while also holding Galloway and Upper Nithsdale.The Tories snatched Roxburgh and Berwickshire from the Liberal Democrats, while also holding Galloway and Upper Nithsdale.
Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell said it had been the toughest election in recent Scottish history.Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell said it had been the toughest election in recent Scottish history.
He said: "We have won the debate. It remains to be seen tonight whether we have won the votes in individual constituencies.He said: "We have won the debate. It remains to be seen tonight whether we have won the votes in individual constituencies.
"But whatever the result, I am sure the people of Scotland will be relieved that it is over, one way or the other.""But whatever the result, I am sure the people of Scotland will be relieved that it is over, one way or the other."
Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said his party had positively campaigned in Scotland.Scottish Lib Dem leader Nicol Stephen said his party had positively campaigned in Scotland.
"The Liberal Democrats, in this new Scottish Parliament, are determined to deliver on our key policies," he said."The Liberal Democrats, in this new Scottish Parliament, are determined to deliver on our key policies," he said.
"My commitment is to these policies and to a bright future for Scotland.""My commitment is to these policies and to a bright future for Scotland."