Chapter Six. The 2007 Scottish Parliament Election.
The 3rd of May, 2007 was a day when the future of Scotland changed. The Scottish National Party were overtaken as the leading opposition party in the Scottish Parliament by the Conservatives. In what was a horrible night for the Nationalists, they lost every single constituency, having to rely on the regional lists to get returned to Holyrood. It was also the day when the SDP broke through onto the political scene, albeit entirely through the regional members also. As such, it can fairly be characterised as the day Scottish nationalism properly split in two.
The Labour party, despite a drop in its vote from 2003, was returned as clearly the largest party in the Scottish Parliament, gaining 49 seats out of the 129. Jack McConnell made it clear that it was now his intention to attempt to form a minority executive to replace the previous Labour-Liberal Democrat coalition. He made it clear though that he would be looking into making a deal with the Liberals for a supply and confidence deal, so that there would be no issue over the budgets and to ensure that Scotland would, over the next four years have stable government.
The big winners of the night though, were the Conservatives, winning thirteen constituencies, alongside the seventeen list seats, easily becoming the largest opposition group in the Assembly. Murdo Fraser announced himself delighted at the result, and hailed what he called the return of Scottish Conservatism. In a withering reply, McConnell stated that he was happy for the Conservatives to “storm into opposition, as that is where they are staying”. Despite this, combined with their success in the Scottish local elections, held on the same day where they became the largest group in several councils, this was a very good night for the Tories. Frasers brand of Progressive Conservatism had paid off.
David Cameron visited Fraser on the next morning to congratulate him on his success, declaring that if the Tories could win thirteen constituencies for Holyrood, it was a sign they were now winning up and down Britain. The issues over strategy between Cameron and Fraser were, for now forgotten. The headlines in the BBC news read of the opposition, rather than the government.
The Greens also had a decent evening, having five of their MSPs returned for another four years. Over the next few days, Jack McConnell managed to get the supply and confidence agreement with Nicol Stephen, and as a result was returned to Bute House for another term as First Minister. He stated that this would be a very different Parliament to the one which had just gone, the tone and shape of the opposition had radically changed. There were now, effectively six groups in the Parliament, and the centre-right had made the breakthrough.
Results of the Scottish Parliament Election 2007.
- Labour 49 Seats. (46 cons + 3 list)
- Conservatives 30 Seats. (13 cons.+17 list)
- Liberal Democrats 17 Seats. (14 cons.+3 list)
- Scottish National Party 15 Seats.(0 cons.+15 list)
- Scottish Democratic Party 13 Seats.(0 cons+13 list)
- Green Party 5 Seats.(0 cons+5 list)
Share of the Vote.
- Labour 31.9% Cons, 28.2% list.
- Conservative 24.2% Cons, 21.8% list
- Liberal Democrat 16.8% Cons, 11.2% list
- SNP 14.3% Cons, 13.9% list
- SDP 9.1% Cons, 12.2% list
- Green 6% list
- Independents 1.3% Cons, 1.1% list
- Others 2.7% Cons, 5.8% list
The other big story of the night was the number of rejected ballot papers, which was huge. This was believed to be a consequence of holding the local and Scottish Parliament elections on the same day. It was agreed shortly after that an enquiry should be held into the issue.
The following day, Nicola Sturgeon resigned as leader of the SNP. The new list member for North East Scotland, Alex Salmond, put his hat in to replace her. He declared it his duty to step back to save the party he loved. Salmonds old mentor Jim Sillars declared that Salmond was too late.
And so began Jack McConnells third term.