General Election 2019: SNP retain seats in Edinburgh East and North and Leith with improved majorities

Tommy Sheppard has told Boris Johnson to “listen to Scotland” after holding his Edinburgh East seat with a huge majority – while his SNP colleague Deidre Brock also secured a resounding victory in the north of the city.

SNP Edinburgh East candidate Tommy Sheppard fought off a challenge from Labour hopeful Shelia Gilmore, who he unseated in 2010, winning 23,165 votes – compared to Labour’s 12,748 votes. Mr Sheppard’s majority has rocketed from 3,500 to more than 10,000.

The turnout in Edinburgh East was 69 per cent, while 142 ballots were rejected. Conservative candidate Eleanor Price secured 6,549 votes – finishing ahead of Green party candidate Claire Miller with 2,064 votes. The Lid Dems' candidate, Jill Reilly won 3,289 votes.

Mr Sheppard labelled it a “remarkable result” and praised those who had “tactically chosen to put their faith in me”. He said that the future of Scotland “is a decision that should be taken in Scotland and nowhere else”.

He added: “We have been given a mandate, not for the first time, not for the second time, but for the third time since 2014 and our aim is to oppose Boris Johnson’s government and oppose, even at this final hour, Brexit.

“Boris Johnson had better start listening to the people of Scotland because if he doesn’t, people will take matters into their own hands and decide their own future whether he likes it or not.”

In Edinburgh North and Leith, SNP candidate Deidre Brock also retained her seat – with a vastly improved majority. Ms Brock took 25,925 votes – ahead of Labour’s Gordon Munro on 13,117 and Tory candidate Iain McGill on 11,000.

Liberal Democrat candidate Bruce Wilson took 6,635 votes ahead of Brexit Party candidate Robert Spiers on 558 and Renew hopeful Heather Astbury who tallied up 138. The turnout in Edinburgh North and Leith was 73 per cent and 105 ballots were rejected.

Ms Brock called on those living in England to “come and join us and help us build a better future” insisting that “the door is open” – adding that “it’s a crying shame to see what’s happening south of the border”.

She added: “Scotland has overwhelmingly rejected Brexit and Tory austerity. Scotland is walking a different path. The people have spoken and made clear that their future is their decision.

“We have work to do to build that better future so let’s go do it.”

Edinburgh North and Leith Tory candidate Iain McGill, said: “It’s a bitter sweet night but it’s more sweet than bitter. It’s a stonking result for the Conservatives across the country. We will bash on with the priorities of the country like health and education and not more constitutional upheaval.

“The picture in Scotland is disappointing that we have lost some seats. But it’s encouraging that we are clearly the second party in Scotland and clearly the ones who can hold the SNP to account.”

FULL RESULTS from Edinburgh East

Tommy Sheppard (SNP) 23,165

Sheila Gilmore (Labour) 12,748

Eleanor Price (Conservative) 6,549

Jill Reilly (Lib Dems) 3,289

Claire Miller (Green) 2,064

FULL RESULTS from Edinburgh North and Leith

Deidre Brock (SNP) 25,925

Gordon Munro (Labour) 13,117

Iain McGill (Con) 11,000

Bruce WIlson (Lib Dem) 6,635

Steve Burgess (Green) 1,971

Robert Spiers (Brexit) 558

Heather Astbury (Renew) 138