Katy Gordon

I have now recovered from the all night session that was the election results night in the SECC in Glasgow last Thursday! Having had a few days off to remind myself what normal life is like, I have also had time to reflect on both local and national results.

Firstly, we had great success in getting Kenneth Elder elected as councillor Hillhead ward, re-electing Christopher Mason in Partick West and re-electing Mary Paris in Maryhill / Kelvin (just outside Kelvin constituency). A great deal of hard work went into campaigning particularly in the West End to achieve this so well done to our councillors and everyone who helped.

Secondly, while we didn’t win Kelvin constituency, our list MSP Robert Brown was re-elected as 3rd on the Regional list, as opposed to 5th last time, so this is also good news.

Thirdly, in a night was clearly dominated by Labour losses / SNP successes, the Scottish Liberal Democrats managed to hold their own when virtually all other parties were squeezed. In such circumstances, we did well to achieve what we did in Glasgow.

This is a good base on which to build in forthcoming campaigns and I am grateful for all the help and support I have received from members and supporters (and friends of supporters!) throughout the city. So I want to say a big THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED!

As to the election debacle of so many rejected votes, clearly there are lessons to be learned, particularly in how many changes can be introduced at one time. It was also the dullest count I have ever attended, with all parties just standing about waiting. This is in stark contrast to previous counts, where we were able to see votes pile up, do sample counts, monitor all questionable ballot papers. Watching computer screens just wasn’t very exciting, particularly when you weren’t completely sure what they were supposed to be showing.

No doubt everyone will want to recharge their batteries and re-discover friends / family they may have neglected during the campaign, but those Thank You Focuses will not get delivered on their own! I would still appreciate your help, albeit at a less intense level than the last few weeks. So if you have any energy left, please get in touch with me with offers of help.

Cheers

Katy