Scotland general election results on a “knife edge” as nation heads to polls

John Swinney has said the outcome of the general election is on a “knife edge” as Scots head to the polls today.

The First Minister made a whistle-stop tour of several constituencies across the central belt yesterday before he rounded off with a final campaign stop in Leith last night.

The SNP leader spoke out after a poll by Survation suggested his party had inched ahead of Labour in terms of voting intentions.

But insiders from both parties believe the race in many seats is too close to call and won’t be decided until polling stations close at 10pm tonight.

Labour is set to win a clear majority of seats across the UK but the race in Scotland is expected to be far tighter.

The SNP won 48 Scottish constituencies at the last general election and is braced for heavy losses once votes are counted.

Labour won just a single seat in 2019 north of the Border but is expected to make significant gains.

Swinney said: “We all know that the result of the General Election in England is a foregone conclusion. Labour will win and Keir Starmer will be Prime Minister.

“The only story left in this election is here in Scotland, where seats across the country are on a knife-edge. And the election in Scotland is the only place where there are genuine, competing visions of the future at stake – a real contest of ideas and values.

“Labour are offering Scotland more of the same and picking up where the Tories left off. More cuts, opening the door to privatisation of the NHS, Brexit and capping child benefits but not bankers’ bonuses.

“The SNP is offering Scotland a different vision. A vision of hope for a better future.

“Ending austerity, supporting our NHS, rejoining the EU, tackling the cost of living crisis and a future made in Scotland, for Scotland, with independence.

“That vision of hope stands in stark contrast to the future of austerity and despair on offer from Labour.

“We don’t have to accept that bleak future offered by Westminster. Things can be better than this. Scotland can do better than this.”

A survey by Savanta out yesterday suggests 31 per cent of Scots could vote Labour on Thursday, three points down on the last poll, while support for the SNP is unchanged at 34 per cent.

Swinney had earlier hit out at Tory comments over Keir Starmer’s desire to spend time with his family if he becomes prime minister.

The Labour leader said this week he will aim to ensure he is free of official business on Friday evenings to spend them with loved ones.

Rishi Sunak said being in Number 10 “entails sacrifice”, while former PM Boris Johnson joked at an event that it was “way past Keir Starmer’s bedtime”.

Swinney said yesterday: “I think the Tory attack is just disgusting, to be honest.

“Politics is a 24/7 business, if you’re a political leader you’ve got to be available to deal with decisions, and I’m pretty certain that Keir Starmer, if he is prime minister, will be available to take decisions.”

Swinney – whose son joined him on the campaign trail in Lanarkshire on Wednesday – added: “A politician should not be criticised for wanting to spend time with their loved ones and make sure they’ve got a good, strong, family relationship.

“That is precious to every one of us, no matter our politics, and for the Conservatives to make an issue of that tells us all we need to know about the Conservatives.”

Swinney also urged SNP supporters to turn out to vote, claiming “a handful” could decide close races across the country.

The party has said it will seek negotiations for another referendum on independence if it wins a majority of seats in Scotland, but the First Minister has repeatedly ducked questions on what will happen if the SNP fails in its goal.

“We’re going to campaign to win,” he said. “We’ll look at all the issues that are thrown up by the election after the election.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “Scottish Labour is working hard to earn voters’ trust so that we can deliver the change that Scotland needs.

“There is only one poll that really matters, and that is polling day.

“Every vote for Scottish Labour is a vote to make sure we get rid of the Tories, put Scotland at the heart of a Labour government and deliver the change our country needs.”

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