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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Election aftermath live: Sturgeon tells voters SNP won't let them down | Election aftermath live: Sturgeon tells voters SNP won't let them down |
| (6 days later) | |
| 5.19pm BST | 5.19pm BST |
| 17:19 | 17:19 |
| Jamie Grierson's afternoon summary | Jamie Grierson's afternoon summary |
| As England’s triumphant Tories and rejected Labourites kept their curtains closed following Thursday’s election, Scotland’s politicians continued to steal the political limelight. Basking in the glory of their monumental 56-seat win, the SNP staged a photo opportunity of intent in front of the Forth Rail Bridge. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, surrounded by her new army of MPs, harnessed the symbolism of Scottish might towering behind her and set her sights on Westminster. “No longer will Scotland be sidelined or ignored,” she cried. “Our voice will be heard.” Look, a curtain just twitched in Witney. | As England’s triumphant Tories and rejected Labourites kept their curtains closed following Thursday’s election, Scotland’s politicians continued to steal the political limelight. Basking in the glory of their monumental 56-seat win, the SNP staged a photo opportunity of intent in front of the Forth Rail Bridge. Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon, surrounded by her new army of MPs, harnessed the symbolism of Scottish might towering behind her and set her sights on Westminster. “No longer will Scotland be sidelined or ignored,” she cried. “Our voice will be heard.” Look, a curtain just twitched in Witney. |
| The big picture | The big picture |
| But there are two sides to the story in Scotland. As the SNP and its supporters join arms for a record-breaking ceilidh, Labour is imploding into a desperate barn fight. Unite Scotland and the train drivers’ union Aslef has called on Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy to step down. It was a bold move for the former Renfrewshire East MP to try and hold on to the role following his wipeout at the hands of the SNP on Thursday - but perhaps it was naive. Shortly after the unions urged him to step down, Neil Findlay MSP piled in and resigned from Labour’s Scottish shadow cabinet, citing the party’s “disaster” in the general election. As is so often the case, it would be surprising if calls for him to move aside didn’t escalate. Labour’s woes continue to grow. | But there are two sides to the story in Scotland. As the SNP and its supporters join arms for a record-breaking ceilidh, Labour is imploding into a desperate barn fight. Unite Scotland and the train drivers’ union Aslef has called on Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy to step down. It was a bold move for the former Renfrewshire East MP to try and hold on to the role following his wipeout at the hands of the SNP on Thursday - but perhaps it was naive. Shortly after the unions urged him to step down, Neil Findlay MSP piled in and resigned from Labour’s Scottish shadow cabinet, citing the party’s “disaster” in the general election. As is so often the case, it would be surprising if calls for him to move aside didn’t escalate. Labour’s woes continue to grow. |
| What happened today? | What happened today? |
| Quote of the day | Quote of the day |
| You’d think that Tony Blair had lost us three elections, not won us three elections | You’d think that Tony Blair had lost us three elections, not won us three elections |
| Former Labour home secretary Alan Johnson battles with his party’s election strategy | Former Labour home secretary Alan Johnson battles with his party’s election strategy |
| Laugh of the day | Laugh of the day |
| Downing Street now. pic.twitter.com/MPYzc5inMH | Downing Street now. pic.twitter.com/MPYzc5inMH |
| Anti-austerity protesters go for the “say what you really think” approach in Whitehall. | Anti-austerity protesters go for the “say what you really think” approach in Whitehall. |
| Heartwarming moment of the day | Heartwarming moment of the day |
| Miliband puts on a brave face and poses with is family after his crushing defeat at the hands of the Tories. | Miliband puts on a brave face and poses with is family after his crushing defeat at the hands of the Tories. |
| Tomorrow’s agenda | Tomorrow’s agenda |
| Expect more debate over how the Tories will roll out their manifesto pledges, who the next Labour leader will be, how the Lib Dems will rebuild their party and the future of the union. | Expect more debate over how the Tories will roll out their manifesto pledges, who the next Labour leader will be, how the Lib Dems will rebuild their party and the future of the union. |
| That’s it from me for today. It has been a pleasure. Join the Guardian’s election team tomorrow morning, as we bring you the latest news, reaction, analysis, pictures, video, and jokes in the aftermath of the election. Barkeeper! | That’s it from me for today. It has been a pleasure. Join the Guardian’s election team tomorrow morning, as we bring you the latest news, reaction, analysis, pictures, video, and jokes in the aftermath of the election. Barkeeper! |
| 4.40pm BST | 4.40pm BST |
| 16:40 | 16:40 |
| The commentariat on Twitter have reacted to the latest developments for Scottish Labour - unions calling for Jim Murphy to step down as the party’s leader and Neil Findlay MSP stepping down from the shadow cabinet. | The commentariat on Twitter have reacted to the latest developments for Scottish Labour - unions calling for Jim Murphy to step down as the party’s leader and Neil Findlay MSP stepping down from the shadow cabinet. |
| Here’s a selection: | Here’s a selection: |
| Wow. Unite and Aslef both call for Jim Murphy to quit @scottishlabour | Wow. Unite and Aslef both call for Jim Murphy to quit @scottishlabour |
| Double wow. Neil Findlay quits Jim Murphy's Shadow Cabinet. Meltdown in @scottishlabour | Double wow. Neil Findlay quits Jim Murphy's Shadow Cabinet. Meltdown in @scottishlabour |
| Wheels coming off .@scottishlabour as Neil Findlay quits shadow cabinet citing party's "disaster" on Thursday. Knives out for Murphy | Wheels coming off .@scottishlabour as Neil Findlay quits shadow cabinet citing party's "disaster" on Thursday. Knives out for Murphy |
| Former Scottish Labour leadership contender Neil Findlay resigns to spend more time making Jim Murphy's life hell. pic.twitter.com/FzvdzTTJ2M | Former Scottish Labour leadership contender Neil Findlay resigns to spend more time making Jim Murphy's life hell. pic.twitter.com/FzvdzTTJ2M |
| 4.10pm BST | 4.10pm BST |
| 16:10 | 16:10 |
| Libby Brooks | Libby Brooks |
| My colleague Libby Brooks has more developments for Scottish Labour - Neil Findlay MSP has resigned from the Scottish Labour cabinet, a sign that calls for Murphy’s resignation is part of a co-ordinated union movement. | My colleague Libby Brooks has more developments for Scottish Labour - Neil Findlay MSP has resigned from the Scottish Labour cabinet, a sign that calls for Murphy’s resignation is part of a co-ordinated union movement. |
| Breaking: @Neil_FindlayMSP resigns from Scottish Labour cabinet "Radical solutions are needed" #GE2015 | Breaking: @Neil_FindlayMSP resigns from Scottish Labour cabinet "Radical solutions are needed" #GE2015 |
| This flurry of resignation calls is clearly coordinated by those in union movement who have never been happy with Murphy's leadership #GE15 | This flurry of resignation calls is clearly coordinated by those in union movement who have never been happy with Murphy's leadership #GE15 |
| Significantly @Neil_FindlayMSP rules out *ever* challenging for leadership/dep leadership of Scottish Labour | Significantly @Neil_FindlayMSP rules out *ever* challenging for leadership/dep leadership of Scottish Labour |
| 4.06pm BST | 4.06pm BST |
| 16:06 | 16:06 |
| Unions round on Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy to resign | Unions round on Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy to resign |
| Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish secretary, has led calls for Jim Murphy to stand down as Scottish Labour leader after the politician’s humiliating defeat at the hands of SNP. | Pat Rafferty, Unite Scottish secretary, has led calls for Jim Murphy to stand down as Scottish Labour leader after the politician’s humiliating defeat at the hands of SNP. |
| Rafferty says staying on as leader will “only prolong the party’s agony” adding it is “surprising” Murphy should feel he still has a mandate to lead after Thursday’s results. | Rafferty says staying on as leader will “only prolong the party’s agony” adding it is “surprising” Murphy should feel he still has a mandate to lead after Thursday’s results. |
| Murphy was the biggest casualty of the night for Labour in Scotland losing his once safe majority seat in Renfrewshire East to the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald. | Murphy was the biggest casualty of the night for Labour in Scotland losing his once safe majority seat in Renfrewshire East to the SNP’s Kirsten Oswald. |
| In a statement, Rafferty says: | In a statement, Rafferty says: |
| It is time for change the Scottish Labour Party. That is the overwhelming, unambiguous message from Scotland’s people, including its trade union members, on Thursday. | It is time for change the Scottish Labour Party. That is the overwhelming, unambiguous message from Scotland’s people, including its trade union members, on Thursday. |
| He adds: | He adds: |
| Change must begin with a new leader. I do not say this out of any personal animus. Jim fought a courageous campaign, and the Party’s problems clearly long predate his leadership. But staying on as leader will only prolong the party’s agony.... I therefore call on Jim Murphy to resign without delay, and give the membership of the Scottish Labour Party the chance to determine their own way forward in rebuilding from Thursday’s ruins.” | Change must begin with a new leader. I do not say this out of any personal animus. Jim fought a courageous campaign, and the Party’s problems clearly long predate his leadership. But staying on as leader will only prolong the party’s agony.... I therefore call on Jim Murphy to resign without delay, and give the membership of the Scottish Labour Party the chance to determine their own way forward in rebuilding from Thursday’s ruins.” |
| Kevin Lindsay, organiser in Scotland for Aslef, the train drivers’ union, also called for Murphy to bow out. He said: | Kevin Lindsay, organiser in Scotland for Aslef, the train drivers’ union, also called for Murphy to bow out. He said: |
| Jim Murphy has just presided over the worst election defeat in the history of the Scottish Labour Party. He has to go - and he has to go now. | Jim Murphy has just presided over the worst election defeat in the history of the Scottish Labour Party. He has to go - and he has to go now. |
| 3.30pm BST | 3.30pm BST |
| 15:30 | 15:30 |
| Anti-cuts protest arrives at Tory HQ | Anti-cuts protest arrives at Tory HQ |
| An anti-austerity protest organised by socialist activists London Black Revs has arrived outside Tory HQ in London. | An anti-austerity protest organised by socialist activists London Black Revs has arrived outside Tory HQ in London. |
| More than 8,000 supporters have indicated on a Facebook event page that they will attend the demonstration in Matthew Parker Street. | More than 8,000 supporters have indicated on a Facebook event page that they will attend the demonstration in Matthew Parker Street. |
| Images posted on Twitter and Vine show a significant turnout of protesters clutcing banners, placards and megaphones. | Images posted on Twitter and Vine show a significant turnout of protesters clutcing banners, placards and megaphones. |
| outside tory hq right now https://t.co/9U7E17MDR0 | outside tory hq right now https://t.co/9U7E17MDR0 |
| First group have marched to outside Tory HQ #toryhq #toriesoutnow https://t.co/UrYRJTtt28 | First group have marched to outside Tory HQ #toryhq #toriesoutnow https://t.co/UrYRJTtt28 |
| 3.25pm BST | 3.25pm BST |
| 15:25 | 15:25 |
| Damien Gayle | Damien Gayle |
| With an unexpected majority government, the Conservatives will now turn to their manifesto and legislative agenda for the next parliamentary term. My colleague Damien Gayle reports that the home secretary, Theresa May, is likely to revive her snooper’s charter now that the block placed by her former coalition partners the Lib Dems has been removed. He writes: | With an unexpected majority government, the Conservatives will now turn to their manifesto and legislative agenda for the next parliamentary term. My colleague Damien Gayle reports that the home secretary, Theresa May, is likely to revive her snooper’s charter now that the block placed by her former coalition partners the Lib Dems has been removed. He writes: |
| Speaking as early results on Friday indicated the Conservatives would form a government with a Commons majority, May said increased surveillance powers was “one very key example” of Tory policy blocked by the coalition arrangement. | Speaking as early results on Friday indicated the Conservatives would form a government with a Commons majority, May said increased surveillance powers was “one very key example” of Tory policy blocked by the coalition arrangement. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.27pm BST | at 3.27pm BST |
| 3.05pm BST | 3.05pm BST |
| 15:05 | 15:05 |
| Ukip claim first council majority in Thanet district. | Ukip claim first council majority in Thanet district. |
| Just want to bring you something coming in from Thanet, in Kent, where Ukip are claiming to have won their first council majority. | Just want to bring you something coming in from Thanet, in Kent, where Ukip are claiming to have won their first council majority. |
| Thanet distict council covers North Thanet parliamentary constituency as well as South Thanet, where the former Ukip leader Nigel Farage failed to win a seat in parliament. | Thanet distict council covers North Thanet parliamentary constituency as well as South Thanet, where the former Ukip leader Nigel Farage failed to win a seat in parliament. |
| Thanet District Council has #GonePurple. First Authority in the United Kingdom to have a #UKIP majority! | Thanet District Council has #GonePurple. First Authority in the United Kingdom to have a #UKIP majority! |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.11pm BST | at 3.11pm BST |
| 2.48pm BST | 2.48pm BST |
| 14:48 | 14:48 |
| As the SNP bathes in the glory of its landslide victory (see 11.15), the Scottish Liberal Democrats are reflecting on their losses north of the border and further afield. | As the SNP bathes in the glory of its landslide victory (see 11.15), the Scottish Liberal Democrats are reflecting on their losses north of the border and further afield. |
| Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, says his party is still “hopeful for the future”, insisting next year’s Holyrood elections are an “opportunity to grow”, according to the Press Association. | Willie Rennie, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, says his party is still “hopeful for the future”, insisting next year’s Holyrood elections are an “opportunity to grow”, according to the Press Association. |
| Our vision for Scotland is hopeful for the future, founded on opportunity and liberty for all. It is a positive prospectus. | Our vision for Scotland is hopeful for the future, founded on opportunity and liberty for all. It is a positive prospectus. |
| A year from now we have an opportunity to grow. The Scottish parliamentary election campaign starts today. | A year from now we have an opportunity to grow. The Scottish parliamentary election campaign starts today. |
| Scotland has lost liberal giants. Our members of parliament were local champions with powerful liberal voices. They enriched the political debate of our country. | Scotland has lost liberal giants. Our members of parliament were local champions with powerful liberal voices. They enriched the political debate of our country. |
| I am sad for the loss to our party, to their communities and to the politics of our country. I know they will make a contribution to rebuilding our strength. | I am sad for the loss to our party, to their communities and to the politics of our country. I know they will make a contribution to rebuilding our strength. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.04pm BST | at 3.04pm BST |
| 2.40pm BST | 2.40pm BST |
| 14:40 | 14:40 |
| What are the country’s politicians doing up and down the country today after the election? Some are celebrating, some are relaxing, some are drinking, some are at the football. | What are the country’s politicians doing up and down the country today after the election? Some are celebrating, some are relaxing, some are drinking, some are at the football. |
| Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson is bemused by sweet treats in Edinburgh ... | Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson is bemused by sweet treats in Edinburgh ... |
| Seen in Edinburgh - Haggis spice flavoured, vegan dark chocolate. Have we reached peak McHipster? pic.twitter.com/rbf3hfQzU2 | Seen in Edinburgh - Haggis spice flavoured, vegan dark chocolate. Have we reached peak McHipster? pic.twitter.com/rbf3hfQzU2 |
| Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham is watching the football at Goodison Park ... | Labour leadership contender Andy Burnham is watching the football at Goodison Park ... |
| After a punishing week, only 1 place to be. Looking like Sunderland might fail to deliver an early result again! #EFC pic.twitter.com/8md3FBYx8L | After a punishing week, only 1 place to be. Looking like Sunderland might fail to deliver an early result again! #EFC pic.twitter.com/8md3FBYx8L |
| One of the Lib Dems’ few remaining MPs, Tom Brake, is cleaning his office ... | One of the Lib Dems’ few remaining MPs, Tom Brake, is cleaning his office ... |
| Getting the office clean and tidy for Monday morning. Remember my office is open 9-5 Mon to Fri if you need any help pic.twitter.com/jkKM4QzJI5 | Getting the office clean and tidy for Monday morning. Remember my office is open 9-5 Mon to Fri if you need any help pic.twitter.com/jkKM4QzJI5 |
| Tory MP for High Peak, Andrew Bingham, is off to the football ... | Tory MP for High Peak, Andrew Bingham, is off to the football ... |
| Am very proud to have been re elected as High Peak MP. Am now at Wembley to support Glossop North End in FA Vase Final @GlossopNorthEnd | Am very proud to have been re elected as High Peak MP. Am now at Wembley to support Glossop North End in FA Vase Final @GlossopNorthEnd |
| Labour MP Lilian Greenwood is enjoying a pint in Nottingham ... | Labour MP Lilian Greenwood is enjoying a pint in Nottingham ... |
| My first pint of the year - thank you Ian Lambert - celebrating my 6,936 majority at @InnPlough. #KeepingNottmRed pic.twitter.com/vQ8V1cJFn9 | My first pint of the year - thank you Ian Lambert - celebrating my 6,936 majority at @InnPlough. #KeepingNottmRed pic.twitter.com/vQ8V1cJFn9 |
| Angus Robertson has joined his fellow newly elected SNP MPs in South Queensferry ... | Angus Robertson has joined his fellow newly elected SNP MPs in South Queensferry ... |
| Fantastic photo of record-breaking new Westminster group of @theSNP with @NicolaSturgeon #SNP pic.twitter.com/ncX4qRsvXr | Fantastic photo of record-breaking new Westminster group of @theSNP with @NicolaSturgeon #SNP pic.twitter.com/ncX4qRsvXr |
| Tory MP for Totnes, Sarah Wollaston, is thinking about the next opposition leader ... | Tory MP for Totnes, Sarah Wollaston, is thinking about the next opposition leader ... |
| As a Tory I don't want to scupper her chances but @leicesterliz is impressive https://t.co/LgXaBX1W3M | As a Tory I don't want to scupper her chances but @leicesterliz is impressive https://t.co/LgXaBX1W3M |
| Labour MP for Sheffield and Barnsley, Angela Smith, is attending a VE Day event in Barnsley ... | Labour MP for Sheffield and Barnsley, Angela Smith, is attending a VE Day event in Barnsley ... |
| My first formal duty as a newly re-elected MP, to take part in the VE Day Commemoration Service at St John church, Penistone #VEDay70 | My first formal duty as a newly re-elected MP, to take part in the VE Day Commemoration Service at St John church, Penistone #VEDay70 |
| SNP MSP for Aberdeen, Mark McDonald, is mocking the Lib Dems ... | SNP MSP for Aberdeen, Mark McDonald, is mocking the Lib Dems ... |
| It just occurred to me that my people carrier has one seat less than the UK Lib Dems. Maybe I could get it an appearance on Question Time... | It just occurred to me that my people carrier has one seat less than the UK Lib Dems. Maybe I could get it an appearance on Question Time... |
| Suffolk’s Tory MP Therese Coffey is putting her feet up... | Suffolk’s Tory MP Therese Coffey is putting her feet up... |
| Nice relaxing Saturday...but also celebrating my mum getting elected to the Parish Council too. | Nice relaxing Saturday...but also celebrating my mum getting elected to the Parish Council too. |
| Labour MP for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy, is keeping her eye on an EDL march ... | Labour MP for Walthamstow, Stella Creasy, is keeping her eye on an EDL march ... |
| The police say 150 members of edl now at Blackhorse Road #edle17 | The police say 150 members of edl now at Blackhorse Road #edle17 |
| Former Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price is turning his thoughts to devolution ... | Former Plaid Cymru MP Adam Price is turning his thoughts to devolution ... |
| Let's call an all-Wales Convention, a meeting of minds, people from all walks and our best thinkers, to draw up a new vision for Wales | Let's call an all-Wales Convention, a meeting of minds, people from all walks and our best thinkers, to draw up a new vision for Wales |
| Selly Oak’s Labour MP, Steve McCabe, is also off to the football ... | Selly Oak’s Labour MP, Steve McCabe, is also off to the football ... |
| Thanks to all who voted Lab in Selly Oak constituency. Much appreciated. Day off from politics&revealing true colours by going to Villa Park | Thanks to all who voted Lab in Selly Oak constituency. Much appreciated. Day off from politics&revealing true colours by going to Villa Park |
| Lib Dem peer Sarah Ludford is reflecting on her party’s huge losses ... | Lib Dem peer Sarah Ludford is reflecting on her party’s huge losses ... |
| Great sense from @libdems Lon chair @MikeTuffrey: results not rejection of what we stand for but reaction to fears about confused outcome. | Great sense from @libdems Lon chair @MikeTuffrey: results not rejection of what we stand for but reaction to fears about confused outcome. |
| And Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, Liz McInnes, is gearing up for a 10km run in Manchester tomorrow. | And Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, Liz McInnes, is gearing up for a 10km run in Manchester tomorrow. |
| I'm running the #Manchester10k tomorrow to raise money for Langley's Angel Project Cafe. Pledges of cash welcome! pic.twitter.com/ZOejqoRxKn | I'm running the #Manchester10k tomorrow to raise money for Langley's Angel Project Cafe. Pledges of cash welcome! pic.twitter.com/ZOejqoRxKn |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.10pm BST | at 3.10pm BST |
| 2.02pm BST | 2.02pm BST |
| 14:02 | 14:02 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.14pm BST | at 3.14pm BST |
| 1.11pm BST | 1.11pm BST |
| 13:11 | 13:11 |
| The SNP aren’t the only ones straight back into politics after the election. A group of campaigners gathered outside Downing Street today to campaign for the introduction of a bill to stop tax dodging. | The SNP aren’t the only ones straight back into politics after the election. A group of campaigners gathered outside Downing Street today to campaign for the introduction of a bill to stop tax dodging. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.30pm BST | at 1.30pm BST |
| 1.11pm BST | 1.11pm BST |
| 13:11 | 13:11 |
| This map of second-place general election results from parliamentary service Dods is generating a lot of interest on Twitter. | This map of second-place general election results from parliamentary service Dods is generating a lot of interest on Twitter. |
| It certainly underlines the surge in support for Ukip in England. | It certainly underlines the surge in support for Ukip in England. |
| Which parties came second across the country? Contact @dodspeople for more info on the data behind this map. #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/x4blaO9Zlx | Which parties came second across the country? Contact @dodspeople for more info on the data behind this map. #GE2015 pic.twitter.com/x4blaO9Zlx |
| 1.05pm BST | 1.05pm BST |
| 13:05 | 13:05 |
| Miliband poses for family portrait outside home | Miliband poses for family portrait outside home |
| Defeated former Labour leader Ed Miliband has appeared with his family outside their home in London. | Defeated former Labour leader Ed Miliband has appeared with his family outside their home in London. |
| Apparently in high spirits after resigning from the party’s top post yesterday, Miliband appeared with his wife, Justine, and children, Daniel and Samuel. | Apparently in high spirits after resigning from the party’s top post yesterday, Miliband appeared with his wife, Justine, and children, Daniel and Samuel. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.57pm BST | at 1.57pm BST |