The final results of the European election have been hailed as “a fantastic victory for the SNP and a vote of confidence in the Scottish Government.”

With the full results for Scotland now declared, the SNP has won the election – increasing its votes by 68,496 on 2009 and securing 28.9 per cent of the popular vote. This is a bigger share of the vote than UKIP achieved in the UK as a whole or in England, and a bigger share of the vote than Labour secured in Wales, where these parties topped the polls. UKIP achieved a smaller share of the vote in Scotland than in any electoral area south of the border.

The SNP came first in 16 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas, including Falkirk.

Commenting, Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson said:

“With the full results now in, this is a fantastic victory for Falkirk SNP and a vote of confidence in the Scottish Government. Over seven years into an SNP Government, and we have won the popular vote yet again in Falkirk district, as once again voters put their trust in the SNP.

“In topping the poll in Scotland, the SNP have also won a higher share of the vote than UKIP across the UK or in England, and higher than Labour in Wales – where these parties topped the polls.

“The SNP came first in 16 of Scotland’s local authority areas including Falkirk, compared to 10 for Labour, 4 for the Tories, 2 for Lib Dems, and none for UKIP – who didn’t even come second anywhere in Scotland and finished 4th overall.

“I’d like to thank the voters of Falkirk once again for continuing to put their trust in the SNP. With Ian Hudghton and Alyn Smith Falkirk and Scotland will be well represented in Europe ”