SNP candidate Patricia Gibson has won the North Ayrshire and Arran seat with a majority of 13,573 at the election count at St Matthew' Academy on Friday morning. The result was declared at approximately 3am.

The new MP praised her 'fantastic campaign team, and in particular, her husband Ken', and thanked the people of North Ayrshire and Arran for placing their trust in her.

She said she would represent the area to the very best of her ability, and that the SNP would do its utmost to maintain that the people of Scotland are heard at Westminster, and hoped to have a very visible presence.

Mrs Gibson said that the SNP would work hard to fight against the austerity agenda which had 'caused so much pain for communities including North Ayrshire' and that the SNP, would be a 'beacon for the best of politics in Scotland, and the UK as a whole'.

"The people of Scotland have spoken loudly tonight," said Mrs Gibson.

Standing down, MP Katy Clark said in an impassioned speech that it had been a 'huge privilege' to serve North Ayrshire for ten years, and called for a more radical Labour Party in future and to return to its socialist roots, and values. Ms Clark, who stood for the deputy leadership of Scottish Labour last year, remarked that the current party 'had not lived up to that image'.

Conservative Jamie Greene said he was pleased to consolidate the Conservative vote, and it offered hope for the future, The result for North Ayrshire was: Katy Clark (Labour) 15,068 Patricia Gibson (SNP) 28,641 Jamie Greene (Conservative) 7,968 Ruby Kirkwood (Liberal Democrat) 896 Sharon McGonigal (UKIP) 1,296.

The turnout of 71.2 per cent and a total of 53,995 votes were cast.