Des’s thoughts on the close result in East Dunbartonshire
East Dunbartonshire saw a impressive 75% turnout in the 2010 General Election. After a closely fought campaign Jo Swinson was elected by a reduced majority of 2184 votes, with Labour coming such a close second.
Des said: ‘Labour’s hard working local team of helpers and our very capable candidate Mary Galbraith made it a close contest. Compared with the last election, Labour halved the Lib Dem majority when I’m sure, on the basis of the opinion polls, the Lib Dems expected their majority to increase. Both the Tories and the SNP had poor results – the SNP will be very disappointed to have come fourth.
‘In an election campaign dominated by party leaders and the televised debates, local issues such as Tesco’s and the Allander still came up on the doorstep. Jo Swinson and I have taken broadly similar stances on these issues, reflecting the feelings of the local community. Barring unforeseen circumstances the next election will be the Scottish Parliament election a year from now – a different contest but no doubt many of the same local concerns will be to the fore. Residents in Milngavie and Bearden rightly expect their elected representatives to work hard on their behalf.
I congratulate Jo on her victory and wish her well in representing people of this area at Westminster. I think all the parties will be pleased with the 75% turnout figure, one of the highest in the UK, and a real affirmation of the democratic process. Many people will see the decision of Jo Swinson, along with her Lib Dem colleagues, to go into coalition with the Conservatives as a betrayal. Voters in East Dunbartonshire gave a clear message that they did not want a Conservative government. The Tories are now in the driving seat, thanks to the Liberal Democrats. I suspect that many local voters will not be happy with this outcome.’
