Incumbent SNP candidate Keith Brown is optimistic that he’ll return to Holyrood as the MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane.
He’s well used to the role he's going for, and counts like today's by now, having served the constituency since its creation back in 2011.
Before that he held the old Ochil seat, meaning that if re-elected next year will mark his second decade in Parliament.
Brown told the Advertiser: “I’m optimistic, I like what I’m seeing at the count, but obviously we have to wait and see what the final tally is.
“I can’t think how many times in this very Town Hall my future has been determined, either in council elections, by-elections, or general elections.”
Commenting on the issue of child poverty, which is higher in the Wee County than most parts of Scotland, he said: “First of all child poverty in Scotland is reducing, the only part of the UK in which it’s reducing.
“Families in Clackmannanshire benefit from the SNP having got the child support payment, a huge benefit called by charities a ‘game changer’.
“I’ve seen huge improvements in Clackmannanshire, not down to me necessarily but over the 30 years that I have been involved as an elected representative.”
If he is victorious, Brown plans to push for a second referendum on Scottish independence.
Other candidates said in the run up to voting day that after so long with the SNP in government and holding the Clacks seat, it’s time for a change.
Brown stated: “The idea that because you’ve been doing it for 20 years you have to stand aside, tell people that in other professions and I don’t think they’d agree with you.
“If people like what you’re doing, your constituents, then certainly you should have a chance of standing there.”
Asked what makes the area special, he said: “It is a stunningly beautiful place, it really is.
“I know we’ve had beautiful weather for a large part of the campaign, but I think people in Clackmannanshire can be reluctant to acknowledge how good it really is. I think the public services are improving here as well, I know there are problems with the roads and so on, but I think it has vastly improved.”
Keep up to date with news from the count by following our live blog.
Share