LAST Thursday Scotland once again went to the ballot box to cast its judgment on its politicians and parties. 

When the dust had finally settled there was a very clear verdict: the SNP’s plans for a second independence referendum have been rejected by the Scottish electorate.

Many had predicted SNP losses at this election but nobody had any idea just how large the scale of their defeat would be.

The electoral map, for so long drenched in bright yellow, was morphed overnight. By the morning Tory blue now stretched from the borders to Aberdeen. For the first time in decades Scottish Conservative MPs now outnumbered Labour MPs.

The result was our best since 1983. By the morning it was clear to everybody that people were tired of the endless division and grievance that the SNP stood for. People across Scotland sent a message to Nicola Sturgeon — that they expect a Scottish Government to actually govern.

After years of being a seemingly impenetrable force the SNP was held to account and lost a number of key seats.

In Moray their Westminster leader Angus Robertson was ousted by Conservative Douglas Ross whilst former First Minister Alex Salmond also found himself without a seat after Gordon declared.

Even where the SNP kept their seats their numbers were severely slashed. In North Ayrshire and Arran, a seat I stood in in 2015 when the Tories were a distant third, Patricia Gibson found her majority cut from 13,500 to just 3,600 with the local Tory candidate coming second, overtaking Labour again; and in Central Ayrshire Phillipa Whitford, whose majority was over 13,500, found herself barely 1,000 votes ahead of the Conservatives, who again took a strong second place.

The idea of a Scottish Conservative MP in a seat like North Ayrshire, or Central Ayrshire is suddenly a realistic option. This is a huge wake-up call for the SNP, a party who simply expected people to vote for them.

In neighbouring East Renfrewshire, we returned Paul Masterson and Ayr, Carrick, and Cumnock elected Bill Grant to represent them. Two more Scottish Conservatives. Taking the total to 13.

Let me be clear: Scottish Conservative MPs, MSPs and councillors take their roles seriously and will not let the region down. We will never forget who we represent and we are proud to stand up for Scotland across the UK. We do not take our gains for granted and we understand the huge responsibility that our constituents have entrusted us with by electing us.

Now for the first time in 20 years we have a group of Scottish Conservative MPs in Westminster who will champion our interests. Instead of carping from the side-lines, they have a seat at the top table and a voice which will be listened to by the UK Government.

My message today is simple: Thank you. Thanks for putting your trust in us. There is no shame or stigma in being a Conservative in Scotland now. Onwards and upwards I say!