Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The political tide has changed overnight in this country, with General Election results that no one in the history of the SNP has ever experienced.
As the multi-coloured map of Scotland’s political allegiances turned from a mixture of red, gold and yellow to a predominantly yellow landscape, the SNP took an outrageous and unprecedented 56 out of 59 seats. In Banff and Buchan, congratulations went to the SNP’s Eilidh Whiteford who increased on her 2010 election majority by 19 per cent – topping the result with 27,487 votes – over 14,000 more than her closest Tory rival and bigger than the previous highest vote achieved by an SNP candidate at a Parliamentary election.
These are unchartered waters for the SNP, but more importantly a fundamental shift for our country. It is clear that the party that said it would fight fairly for Scotland down in Westminster have now been given the clout and the mandate to do just that.
There is now a majority Tory government in Westminster – something that many did not envisage at the beginning of this 2015 election campaign. But it is for this reason that such a strong voice for Scotland is needed, so that the leading party is in no doubt as to where we stand and what we need. The SNP is committed to fighting against austerity and for an increase in powers to be given to Scotland.
But the story of this election is about the people, and what their will to change can do. Over the course of the results, we saw the youngest MP since 1667 elected for the SNP – Mhairi Black - knocking out a Labour stalwart in Paisley which has been Labour red for the past three decades, and Liberal Democrat seats such as Ross, Skye and Lochaber held for up to 32 years switching to the SNP. The electorate – the people, readers and constituents - have made it very clear which party they want to represent them in London.
For me personally it was a particular pleasure to spend a day with Stephen Gethins, our candidate in North-East Fife, and to meet former patients of my father who retired 40 years ago. And to find them voting SNP.
Today, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon summed up what we all felt when she said that never in her wildest dreams did she imagine that we would pick up 56 out of the 59 seats in Scotland. This is a truly historic day and Scotland’s voice in Westminster will be louder than ever before.
