RUTH Maguire is Irvine and Kilwinning’s new MSP after holding the Cunninghame South seat for the Scottish National Party.

In a clear victory, the Irvine West councillor walked home with 13,416 votes with nearest rival from Labour – fellow councillor Joe Cullinane – amassed 7,723 votes.

Conservative candidate Billy McClure finished third with 3,940 while Ruby Kirkwood gained 616 votes at the count at St Matthew’s Academy in Saltcoats.

Ms Maguire now succeeds the recently-retired Margaret Burgess and a by-election will be held in the coming months to fill her soon-to-be-vacant council seat.

Speaking to the Times immediately after the declaration, the victorious SNP politician said: “It's very exciting a little bit overwhelming to be honest we've been campaigning really really hard and this is the end of a long hard exciting campaign.

“It's a huge privilege that I've been selected and I'll do my very very best for everyone. 

“I'll have to go meet colleagues, we’re all on stand-by so not too much celebrating just now we're ready to leap into action and the work starts tomorrow.”

Ms Maguire added: “To be honest I'm very proud to campaign on the government’s record and what we’re going to do going forward. People have benefited from having an SNP Government.

“There's obviously lots to do but for me the number one thing is jobs and job quality not just job density.

“I'll work to make sure that our young folk and indeed some of our older folk can stay and work in our community.

“We set out to win and win a majority, form a government and we’re on track to do that.”

Joe Cullinane was visibly disappointed with the outcome.

In his closing speech, he said: “The Labour Party in Scotland are going through some difficult times but it brings me back to one of my political idols James Keir Hardie.

“He said defeat is not in the socialist dictionary and that's absolutely correct. 

“Nationalism may have beat socialism tonight but they don't call it the struggle for nothing. 

“Tomorrow the Labour Party will be back out trying to persuade people across Scotland. We won the argument on tax, I think we won the argument on a lot of policy issues.

“I want to congratulate Ruth and her campaign team on a very successful campaign and wish her well as MSP.”

Despite finishing third, Billy McClure was delighted with the result and hailed his party’s success overall.

He added: “There's absolutely no need to comiserate, this is a great result.

“When you look at it in context, there's nearly 4,000 votes that means that an additional 1,000 people decided to convert to the Conservative Party.

“There's two reasons for that: either they liked me or the message of the Conservative Party which was no to a second referendum and we believe in a strong nuclear policy.

“The Conservative Party is for the future, not for the past.”

Kenny Gibson cruised to victory to hold the Cunninghame North seat for the SNP with 16,587 votes.

There was, however, a shock as Conservative Jamie Greene pipped Johanna Baxter to second place with 7,863 votes – ahead of the Labour hopeful’s 6,735.

Liberal Democrat Charity Pierce, who did not attend the count, amassed 780 votes.