Conservatives gain one MSP in Highlands and Islands regional list vote as Labour lose out
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THE Conservatives have gained one seat on the Highlands and Islands regional list, at the expense of Labour.
The Tories have picked up four of the seven available list seats across the region, with the SNP, Labour and the Greens winning one apiece.
The gained seat ensures that Jamie Halcro Johnston, who was fourth on the Tories' list, will remain in Holyrood.
Moray's MP Douglas Ross was top of the Tory list and will now be elected to Holyrood, along with Edward Mountain and Donald Cameron.
Labour's Rhoda Grant will continue in her role, with Findhorn's Ariane Burgess elected for the Greens and Emma Roddick – now Holyrood's youngest MSP at 23 – elected for the SNP.
In 2016, the Tories had three list MSPs elected, with Labour two and the SNP and Greens one.
But a swing from Labour to the Tories across the eight constituencies that comprise the Highlands and Islands region ensured the Tories gained a seat.
Douglas Ross hailed the Tories "best ever" result across the Highlands and Islands.
He said: “I am delighted that we have seen four Scottish Conservative MSPs elected in the Highlands and Islands region.
"This is our best ever result in this part of Scotland and indeed the entire country.
"We have maintained the number of MSPs while increasing our votes in the constituencies and regions.
“The entire Scottish Conservative team are ready to get to work at Holyrood on behalf of constituents in Moray and across the Highlands and Islands region."
