Edinburgh North and Leith: SNP’s Deirdre Brock wins

Only moments after Labour won their only Scottish MP of the night, the SNP’s sweep got back on track – taking Edinburgh North and Leith.

Deidre Brock speaks after her victory. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Deirdre Brock’s victory saw Labour’s majority of 1,724 dramatically overturned, with the SNP winning by a comfortable majority of 5,597.

In her victory speech the Deputy Provost paid tribute to her predecessor and promised her new constituents: “I will not let you down,” continuing, “the news from around the country is good for the SNP tonight, and it’s good for Scotland and the rest of the UK.”

“A strong team of SNP MPs means a voice for the victims of austerity, and a strong voice against the obscenity of nuclear weapons.”

“England’s NHS needs us as much as Scotland’s…The message rings out loud and clear from Edinburgh and from across Scotland tonight: the bedroom tax must go. Austerity must go. Nuclear weapons must go.”

“The work is just beginning. Let’s go do the job.”

Mr Lazarowicz he thanked his former constituents for the ‘immense privilege’ of representing them over the past 14 years, before addressing Labour’s huge losses this evening: “Our country needs our values, our principles, our commitment to social justice – which does not stop at national boundaries. We know, and we must, take that message forward.”