Brian Whittle has been re-elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the South Scotland Region at Holyrood.
Scottish Conservative & Unionist Whittle stood in the Kilmarnock & Irvine Valley seat where he increased his overall number of votes and increased the party's share of the vote by more than 1.2%, beating the swing to Scottish Labour, who many had expected would benefit from unionist tactical voting seen elsewhere in Scotland.
Brian, who ran a strong local campaign, focussing on calls for improved digital connectivity and investment in local transport links, was subsequently re-elected to Holyrood on the South Scotland regional list. The Scottish Conservatives increased their share of the list vote across the region and were able to secure three list seats. An increase from two seats in 2016. Joining Brian at Holyrood will be new Scottish Conservative MSPs Craig Hoy and Sharon Dowey.
Commenting on the result, Brian said:
“I’m proud of the campaign my team and I ran in Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley and I think the hard work we put in has shown through in the result with an increase in support.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone across Kilmarnock & Irvine Valley who supported my campaign and all those across South Scotland who gave their vote to the Scottish Conservatives.
Covid made this a unique campaign but I was still able to speak to many voters and even if many of them might not have voted for me, I always enjoy the banter!
I’d like to congratulate Willie Coffey on his success and thank all the other candidates for fighting a good campaign.
I’m delighted to have been re-elected as a South Scotland MSP and will use this next session of parliament to carry on the work I’ve been doing to improve public health, improve the local transport infrastructure, boost the local economy, and much more besides.
Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic will be a long and at times difficult process but I’m determined to play my part and do my best for people across South Scotland.”
