Scottish Tories Boosted By Tactical Votes

The Conservatives are set to replace Labour as the second largest party in Scotland on a dramatic election night.

A Sky News projection sees the Tories secure 28 seats - four ahead of Labour.

It would be the Tories' best ever Holyrood result and a transformation for the party.

Sky News election analyst Michael Thrasher said the party's resurgence was down to anti-SNP tactical voting by supporters of the Union.

"In Edinburgh Central voters swung behind the Tories, in Edinburgh Western went to the Lib Dems and in Edinburgh Southern they swung to Labour - it's clear evidence of tactical voting," he said.

"There is a clear indication that in some parts of Scotland, particularly in the east, voters may be rallying around the Conservative theme of defending the Union.

"So in a sense the Tories may be leading the fightback of the people that voted No in the Scottish referendum and getting them to swing behind one party rather than several parties."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson, who focused on providing a strong opposition to the SNP, said she believed her party was "in for a very good night indeed".

"We've seen our vote double in several areas across the country, including places like East Kilbride and places like Kilmarnock that aren't traditional Tory strongholds," she said.

"We're hearing particularly in the north-east that we may well go from two to four MSPs, so we've got a lot to look forward to tonight I hope."

Thrasher said: "It has already been a great night for the SNP, as it has retained its majority, but the Conservatives really have much to celebrate.

"The Tories' share of the vote is up around 8% and Ruth Davidson's popularity rating has increased by 15 points, suggesting she is a strong leader which is exactly what the Conservatives need in Scotland."

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