Labour's Irene Campbell has already vowed to make a big splash as the new MP for North Ayrshire & Arran.

The Saltcoats woman won the seat from the SNP's Patricia Gibson, who served as MP  from 2015. With a majority of more than 3,000 votes.

And as chair of the Splash group behind the new outdoor pool planned for her home town, she already has some big ideas for the constituency.

She told Ayrshire Weekly Press as she left the count at St Matthew's Academy: "I am absolutely delighted. 

"I live here, it's where I come from, so I am delighted to be able to represent the people of North Ayrshire and Arran.

And she joked: "As chair of the Splash group. we might just get the swimming pool a bit earlier too..."

On a hugely disappointing night for the SNP, both in the constituency, around Ayrshire and across Scotland, former MP Ms Gibson had little to say after the declaration from returning officer Craig Hatton.

She simply said: "I've no other speeches, nothing else to say. Tomorrow's another day."

The results were:

  • Irene Campbell (Lab) 16,821 (39.8%)
  • Patricia Gibson (SNP) 13,270 (31.4%)
  • Todd Ferguson (Cons) 5,954 (14.1%)
  • Mike Mann (Reform) 3,415 (8.1%)
  • Cara McKee (Green) 1,327 (3.1%)
  • Gillian Cole-Hamilton (Lib Dem) 1,005 (2.4%)
  • Ian Charles Gibson (Soc Dem) 238 (0.6%)
  • James McDaid (Socialist Lab) 232 (0.5%)

On what proved to be a great night for the Labour Party in Scotland and across the rest of the UK, Ms Campbell received loud cheers before she addressed the audience at the count after her resounding win was revealed.

After thanking the returning officer, the election count team, the police in attendance, she praised the members of her campaign team, stating: "We have worked tirelessly throughout this campaign and we couldn't have done it without them.

"I thank my fellow candidates for fighting a positive campaign and my thanks to the outgoing MP Patricia Gibson.

"Many thanks to those who voted for Labour. I will work hard to represent the whole community of North Ayrshire.

"This is a vote for change and the Scottish Labour Party is focused on priorities. We will deliver economic stability, cheaper energy prices and a new deal for working people.

"We will create jobs for young people."

She added: "We are on course for a Labour Government in Westminster, to be led by Keir Starmer who has Scotland in his heart.

Conservative candidate Todd Ferguson, whose party fell from second place to third, said: "We ran a positive campaign and I'd like to thank my helpers, family and friends and all those who voted for me.

"It wasn't our night and it wasn't for the party across the UK. 

"I hope Labour will keep to their values and keep Scotland together with the UK and we can start moving this country in the right direction."

He added: "I will get back to my job as a North Ayrshire councillor and look forward to representing my constituents.

"There's a lot to be done across the North Coast and I will try to give us the outcomes we need.

"I will also be pushing our new MP Irene to get more investment into our local authority."