Edinburgh South: Ian Murray becomes lone Labour MP

Ian Murray is Edinburgh's only Labour MP. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Murray secured 19,293 votes against SNP candidate Neil Hay’s 16,656 - a share of 39.1 per cent of the vote.

His victory speech struck a defiant tone against the Nationalists, arguing to rapturous cheers from his supporters that “constitutional politics” had “never lifted a child out of poverty.”

He said: “Tonight, congratulations go to the SNP and all their successful candidates - having built the hopes and aspirations of Scots, you are now charged with meeting those heavy responsibilities.

“You can not now hide from, or blame others for not meeting those promises.”

The incoming Labour MP also paid tribute to the “many dedicated and hard-working MPs” that had lost their seats across Scotland.

He added: “The people of Edinburgh South have put their faith in me again, and i will represent all of you, regardless of how you voted today, over the next five years.”

But his speech - and insistence Scotland needed a “strong Labour Party” - was often met by jeers from Nationalist supporters.

SNP candidate Neil Hay came under fire last month after tweeting comments insulting elderly votes and linking to a satirical website branding No-voters “quislings.”

This morning Hay admitted the controversy over his tweets “certainly would not have helped” shore up his vote, adding that he was “obviously disappointed” with the result.

He also insisted he had not had “time to digest” the reasons for his electoral defeat and would “never know” if the twitter controversy had made a real difference.

He said: “I obviously had hoped to stand and represent the candidates of Edinburgh South.

“But it’s an exciting time for Scotland and an exciting time for the party. I’m absolutely delighted for the other successful candidates and for the party as a whole.

“[The SNP’s success] came through on the doors. People don’t trust Labour anymore and they believe the SNP will keep their word and hold their promises.

“And it’s the feeling that for years now Labour have stood with the Tories and lost their roots.

“We ran a really positive campaign. We focused on the case for a better Scotland.”

The Conservatives secured 8,626 votes across Edinburgh South, with the Greens sitting on 2,090.

Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat candidate Pramod Subbaraman stumped up 1,823 votes, while UKIP raked in 601. The Scottish Socialist Party secured 197.