Tories’ shock at margin of victory in Angus

The Scottish Conservatives “didn’t expect” to overturn the SNP’s majority in Angus and create their own general election cushion.

Kirstene Hair took the seat in a shock turn of events, removing the SNP from the seat for the first time since it was formed in 1997.

Following the seat’s declaration, Ms Hair, 27, said the work begins now to represent the county at Westminster.

“We knew when we were out campaigning that results would be favourable,” she said.

“But to have created such a swing as we did, we didn’t expect that.

“And not only that, we’ve created a sizeable majority ourselves.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be representing the area I was born and brought up in.”

A huge cheer went up in the hall when the result was announced and Ms Hair and her supporters remained for a time afterwards to celebrate.

The Tories took 18,148 votes while the SNP could only muster 15,503.

Labour’s William Campbell took 5,233 votes and Liberal Democrat Clive Sneddon 1,308.

The count got under way at the Saltire Leisure Centre in Arbroath amidst an increased security presence in the wake of the terror attacks on London and Manchester in the past month.

Angus Council decided to employ a third-party organisation, certified by the SIA, to conduct bag checks and secure the Saltire Leisure Centre in Arbroath, where the count was held.

Police were present during the Scottish independence referendum of 2014, but were absent during the Scottish Government election.

Increased security was obvious and a missive to staff read: “Due to the heightened security level across the UK and on the advice of Police Scotland, all bags will be searched on arrival at the count venue by an SIA-approved steward.

“This may cause some delay on entering the count venue and I would ask for your patience as this important security measure is carried out.”

Local authority staff were instructed to bring only essential bags.

Ms Hair said the Tory turnout was reflected by her campaign team’s hard work since the Prime Minister called the snap election.

“For the past five weeks our team of campaigners have been working flat-out to listen to the views of people in Angus, what they want from their government,” she said.

“We have been out on the doors every day since, and it has become clear that Scottish voters do not want a second independence referendum, having made their choice in 2014.”