Forres Councillor Kathleen Robertson reacts after party loses both Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey and Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, with Douglas Ross denied a Westminster return

AFTER failing in her bid to become the MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, Forres Conservative Councillor Kathleen Robertson praised her victorious SNP opponent.

In a statement issued today (July 5), current Moray Council leader Cllr Robertson described election rival Cllr Leadbitter - who is the SNP group’s co-leader - as “diligent and hardworking”.

At Elgin Town Hall, it was announced that the Scottish Conservative and Unionist received 13,960 votes, 29.9 per cent of the total, and 1001 votes short of Cllr Leadbitter’s 14,961 votes and 32 per cent vote share.

Exit poll figures earlier gave the Tories a 95 per cent chance of winning the new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.

Cllr Robertson said: “He has worked hard, as have his campaign team, and he made this an interesting and challenging election campaign.

“I am positive that he will do the same in Westminster.

“From our time together on Moray Council, I am confident that he will be a diligent and hardworking representative for all of us in Moray West, Nairn, and Strathspey.”

Veterinary surgeon Cllr Robertson also acknowledged that running for office can take a considerable person toll, thanking those who have supported her efforts including her family and her party, alongside polling and count staff.

“As I’m sure my fellow candidates will attest to, it is not easy to stand for any public office,” she said.

“It is a lot of hard work, long hours, public scrutiny, and giving away your time in the hopes that your message will resonate with others.

“I thank them all for their own efforts and the respect that they have afforded not only me, but each other, throughout this entire process.”

She added: “Thank you to those who put their faith in me. I

“It meant a lot to see the belief that you had in both me as a candidate and my ideas.

“I look forward to continuing to do so on the Council, and I look forward to meeting whomever fills Graham’s spot. I am sure they will meet the standard that he has set.”

Current Scottish Conservative Party leader Douglas Ross, and final MP for Moray, also failed to win his own battle in Moray’s other seat.

Coming second to the SNP’s Seamus Logan, Mr Ross is now set to remain a list MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, though he will resign as party leader.