THE new MP for Central Ayrshire says that representing local families will be "the privilege of my life".

Scottish Labour's Alan Gemmell was speaking after the result was declared at the Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr in the early hours of Friday.

All four SNP-held seats in Ayrshire fell to Labour as the party won the election in a landslide.

Mr Gemmell took 18,091 votes, a 43.7 per cent share of the 41,419 votes cast.

The SNP's Annie McIndoe (11,222 votes) was second and the Conservatives' David Rocks (6,147) third.

The SNP's vote share fell 19.1 per cent, while the drop for the Conservatives was even steeper at 20 per cent.

In contrast Labour's vote share rose by 29.6 per cent from the last general election in 2019.

Elsewhere, Kevin Blades (Reform) took 3,420 votes; Tom Kerr (Green) earned 1,039 votes; Elaine Ford (Lib Dem) took 983 votes; Louise McDaid (Socialist Lab) had 329 votes and Allan MacMillan (Social Democrat) earned 188 votes.

The result was announced at around 4.30am by returning officer Mike Newall.

The former diplomat said: “I thought representing Britain around the world was the best job I could have had, but representing the families of Central Ayrshire will be the privilege of my life.

“I would like to thank the voters of Central Ayrshire for putting their trust in me and Scottish Labour once again. We will not let you down.

“I would like to thank my husband Damian and recognise the spouses of candidates here and the candidates who have been part of this campaign.

“I would also like to recognise Philippa Whitford my predecessor.”

The newly elected MP also hailed the campaign ran across the UK by Labour which saw the party take control at Westminster.

Mr Gemmell added: “Only Labour has a plan for our country and I’m proud of the positive campaign we’ve run. Change can’t come soon enough.

“On thousands of doorsteps across the constituency people told us they were fed up of the chaos, incompetence and sleaze of two failing governments – and struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, an energy crisis and a NHS crisis.

“They told us they wanted to put the years of division behind us and ensure Central Ayrshire played our part in electing a Labour government tonight.

“They told us they wanted an MP here who will bring the change our community needs – a change that comes from working people across the UK working together.”

Mr Gemmell also took the time to thank those who helped with his campaign and with the count.

He continued: “I would like to thank all the staff her and at the polling stations across Central Ayrshire. I would like to thank the police for their support at this count tonight and across the constituency today.

“And I would like to thank an incredible Scottish Labour Central Ayrshire team who have been with me the past seven months.

“In particular, the best agent in Scotland, June Neilson – thank you very, very much.

“I would also like to thank my mum, who was with me on our first leaflet run in minus one at Steps Road in Irvine in January.”