THE results are in for the Aberdeen Council by-election.
Two seats were vacant after the death of SNP councillor Sandy Stuart and the resignation of globetrotting Tory Brett Hunt.
The Conservatives and SNP both reclaimed their seats. Tory Sarah Cross took one seat and the SNP's Jessica Mennie took the other.
The result changes little, with the ruling Conservative, Labour and independent coalition remaining intact.
READ MORE: SNP and Tories hold seats in Aberdeen Council by-election
Going by the Tories’ reaction, however, you would be forgiven for interpreting the results as a historic Conservative win, defeating the evil pro-independence forces once and for all.
“The result from Bridge of Don shows voters want us to sort Brexit, they want the SNP to dump its independence referendum, and they want us all to get on with sorting out the things that matter,” the Scottish Tories tweeted.
“People have had enough of the SNP’s relentless pursuit of more division.”
The result from Bridge of Don shows voters want us to sort Brexit, they want the SNP to dump its independence referendum, and they want us all to get on with sorting out the things that matter.
— Scottish Conservatives (@ScotTories) October 4, 2019
People have had enough of the SNP’s relentless pursuit of more division. pic.twitter.com/1yCUWWGzdD
Where to start?
First, despite seemingly being under the impression that the result was a landslide victory, the Tory candidate won just 60 votes more than the SNP – 1857 for Cross compared to 1797 for Mennie. The SNP also increased their vote share.
And, as mentioned, both parties won a seat. If Bridge of Don voters were trying to say they’ve “had enough” of the SNP, they sure went about it in a strange way.
Second is the somewhat dubious claim that the results show voters want the SNP to “dump its independence referendum”.
A YouGov survey for the Times, published last month, showed that more Scots back indyref2 than oppose it.
Even Scotland in Union’s polling has highlighted growing support for independence and a swing in favour of holding a second vote "sooner rather than later".
Another swing and a miss for the Tories.
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Finally, the statement claims Scots want the Tories to “sort Brexit”.
Polls this year have shown support for Brexit in Scotland, which was opposed by 62% of voters in the 2016 referendum, has fallen yet further.
Considering that the Scottish Tories have now abandoned opposition to a No Deal – which would be “catastrophic” for the country – their claim that Scots want them to “sort Brexit” is frankly laughable.
Even by the Scottish Tories’ standards, this is embarrassing.
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