'DIFFICULT NIGHT'
SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn holds onto seat but admits his party will be ‘beat well’ in General Election
Stephen Flynn appeared downbeat as he addressed the crowd after holding onto his seat
THE SNP's leader in Westminster has retained his seat - but admitted that his party will be "beat well" in the General Election.
Stephen Flynn held Aberdeen South amid strong competition from Labour and the Conservatives.
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He came out on top in the constituency with 15,213 votes.
Labour's Tauqeer Malik received 11,455, while Tory candidate John Wheeler picked up 11,300 votes.
Mr Flynn looked relieved but reflective as the results were announced in the northeast city in the early hours.
He said: "It's bittersweet. To win an election is a very proud moment.
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"But then at the same time to turn and look at television and see your friends and colleagues losing their seats is tough to take.
"We're going to get thumped tonight. I think everyone knows that."
Mr Flynn confessed there will now have to be a grim post-mortem.
He added: "Now we need to do what's difficult in politics sometimes.
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"Which is to pull back the curtain, look at some of the skeletons in your closet, realise what the problems have been, try and put them right and put them right in quick time."
Mr Flynn refused to speculate on the problems after a long day.
Graphic shows election results as they come in, with updated map and seat totals
But he said they will be examined in great detail by the Nats.
He vowed to take his team out to say thank you when the dust settles.
Mr Flynn said: "I'll take my team out for a well-earned drink and then it's straight back to work because we've got a job to do. Politics doesn't stop and neither do the needs of the people that I'm fortunate enough to represent."
Addressing the crowd, he admitted that his party is facing a "difficult night" and will be "beat well".
He said: "To the wider Scottish electorate, the wider UK audience, it is quite clear to all of us that the Scottish National Party is having a difficult night. We are experiencing something that we have not experienced for quite some time.
"We are going to be beat in Scotland. And we are going to be beat well.
"Now is the time where we must learn and we must listen. We must listen to what the people of Scotland have told us.
"But when you are knocked down, you have to get back up. And when you get back up you must be willing to inspire, you must be bold in your action, and you must be committed to the values which you hold dear.
"My colleagues and I who are returned to Westminster will continue to put Scotland's interests first, to serve the people of Scotland and hopefully regain the trust that has been lost at this election."
After his strongly-worded speech, he immediately left the stage.
Mr Flynn's colleague, Kirsty Blackman, across the city in Aberdeen North also held her seat.
She received 14,552 votes, while Labour's Lynn Thomson gained 12,773 votes.
And after the victory she told how cuddles from the youngsters played a huge part.
She said: "I would like to thank my favourite Aberdonians, my bairns. And my husband Luke.
"Without them, their support and without their bosies I couldn't have done this for the last few years.
"I expect to be getting plenty of bosies from them over the next five years."
Mrs Blackman vowed to speak up for the city.
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And she pledged to help those who are struggling.
She said: "I will do everything that I can to make that burden easier."
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