Election 2024 Live Feed Archive

05:20 As we wait for results...It looks like this Newshound has had enough..

 

 

05:03 Labour have cleared the threshold and Keir Starmer will be the next Prime Minister

As another of the Conservative big guns, Jacob Rees-Mogg lost his seat to Labour, Labour cleared the threshold and Keir Starmer will be our new Prime Minister

 

04:55 The birds are out and tweeting and its getting light outside - Perhaps not long to go until we get a result

 

 

 

 

04:45 We have just witnessed a historic moment...Rishi Sunak has kept his seat in North Allerton but has publicly  conceded the general election.

 

04:28 Our reporters are still awake but probably in search of coffee 

 

 

04:09 The total number of votes cast was 42,423. The percentage turnout for North Ayrshire and Arran was 58.8% - this compares to 65.6% in the previous UK Parliamentary Election held in December, 2019. The total number of rejected ballot papers was 161. Photo: North Ayrshire Council.

 

 

03:58 Breaking: The results are in and Irene Campbell (Lab) has been elected as MP for the North Ayrshire and Arran constituency, ousting the SNP's Patricia Gibson. Big result that for Labour.

 

 

Irene Campbell is Arran's new MP after ousting long-serving politician Patricia Gibson with a majority of over 3,000 votes.

 

03:53 Declaration imminent for Arran and North Ayrshire. We reckon within  the next ten minutes or so we will have a result for you.

 

 

 

 

03:50 This has certainly been an election all about change. Decision makers are recognising more and more that young people want to have a say in decisions that affect them. If you’re 14 and over, you can register to vote. If you’re 16 or over, and you’ve registered, you can vote in Scottish Parliament and local government elections – helping to choose the MSPs and councillors who will represent the area where you live. In these elections for Westminster however, the age limit remains 18, but low turnouts like we have seen across the country could see a rethink on that we reckon.

 

03:40 Scottish Labour have also just gained East Kilbride and Strathaven with a 9,000 plus majority.

03:32 Just to reassure our Arran readers, votes from the island have been brought safely to the North Ayrshire count via a specially-chartered rib to make sure of their timeous arrival. We know what you are thinking, if only the ferry service to and from the island was as reliable...

03:25 Paisley and Renfrewshire South declaring....and it's another big win for Labour, taking the seat from the SNP with a 6,527 swing.

03:23 Another win for Labour in Lothian East and East Renfrewshire, but victory for SNP in Aberdeen North. Analysts say turnout is set to be lowest across the UK since World War Two, putting a bit of a dampner on the Labour landslide celebrations.

03:10 While only picking up one seat in Westminster so far, Reform have come second in 18 counts across England, a surprise result for many.

03:05 So we are making a dent in the ballot papers at the count in Lochgilphead, but as you can see, still plenty of boxes and bags to work our way through.

03:00 During the last election in 2019, 66,525 people turned out to vote in Argyll and Bute. The turnout was a healthy 72.2%. It remains to see if some of the voter apathy that seems to have surrounded the other seats will see that figure dip and by how much. We still wait for turnout info from the returning officer.

02:54 It looks like the key to keeping our West Coast Today audience abreast of the latest breaking news at the Lochgilphead count is plenty of Lucozade Energy and Starbucks double espresso milk shots! Jodie and Megan are also available for other brand endorsement work!

02:51 David McAllister of Labour has won West Dunbartonshire. Another early blow for the SNP as results across Scotland start to filter in. A 6,010 majority too. Ouch.

02:31 Time for some more election trivia. An interesting fact for football fans. SNP Argyll and Bute candidate Brendan O'Hara is actually the great-great grandson of Celtic’s first secretary and founding father, John O'Hara, pictured. Before venturing into politics, Mr O'Hara enjoyed a five-year spell with Sky Sports from 1995, where he worked with top broadcasters Richard Keys and Andy Gray. He was also part of the Live Football team on BBC Scotland before switching to careers.

02:15 Looks like Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross got it right when he described this evening as a 'historically bad night' for his party. Strong rumours circulating that he is about to lose his seat, although it seems SNP Westiminster leader Stephen Flynn might just hang on to his.

01:47 Who needs a bed? The WCT newshound (and friend) are still awake and enjoying our updates. We hope we are keeping you informed and entertained too as there are few hours to traverse before we find out who your next set of MPs is going to be

01:44 It is looking like turnouts are low across the country, a statistic that is being lamented by the SNP, whose supporters seem to have stayed at home on a night the party needed them to get to the polls. Average turnouts so far around the 56% mark, way down on 2019 when it was closer to 70%.

01:40 Here is the spectacular moment the choppers arrived with the votes for the count at Lochgilphead, greeted by our reporting team of Jodie Hagan, Megan Day and Kevin McGlynn.

01:37 We hope to bring you some chat from the candidates at the Argyll and Bute count soon. They are all nervously checking the ballot papers right now, but fear not, our team of reporters are poised and ready the minute they step away from the counting tables.

01:29 The Na Hearadh Ballot Boxes have arrived at the count at the Lewis Sports Centre and all ballots have now been verified.

01:25 Turnout for the Arran seat has just been announced by returning officer Craig Hatton as 58.8%.
He told West Coast Today that the aim is for a declaration between 2.30am and 3am this morning. Word from the count is Labour is becoming increasingly confident of overthrowing the SNP, but time will tell.

01:21 First of the big name politicians set to come under threat rumoured to be SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn in Aberdeen South.It’s said to be a three-way split with the Tories and Labour doing as well as the SNP, with insiders at the count saying it is 'going to the wire'. Still we wait for the first Scottish result.

01:09 The previous ward for Skye and Lochaber was dissolved under last year's boundary changes, but for any stat nerds out there (like us) here is how it voted in 2019.

00:56 That’s all ballot boxes arrived for the North Ayrshire and Arran count and verification has been completed. Hopefully a result won't be too far away. Image North Ayrshire Council

00:51 Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes has arrived at the count in Inverness. She told our team: “It’s great to be here in the Ross County Stadium. I have so much respect for the counters to work all night to ensure that everybody’s democratic vote matters and, you know, that’s the beauty of democracy that ultimately over the last few weeks people have had the freedom to express their democratic views on who should win, and every candidate deserves our respect for putting themselves forward. Ultimately, at this stage and giving you this quote, I don’t know who will win, but I look forward to the result.”

00:41 Despite issues relating to postal votes, especially across Arran and parts of Argyll and Bute, the Electoral Commission has said polling 'ran smoothly' across the UK.
Vijay Rangarajan, chief executive, added: “Today, tens of millions of people exercised their democratic right and had their say at the ballot box.
“Overall, our initial assessment is that polling day ran smoothly and people were able to cast their votes securely.
"We continue to support administrators as they undertake counts tonight.
“Millions of people were able to have their say, but we know there is room to improve the experience for some."

00:38 The count is well under way in Inverness and sources close to the SNP say that, despite the national picture, they are 'quietly confident' of a victory there.

00:33 We told you earlier how some votes from remote locations were to arrive by helicopter. Well here they come...maybe we can get a result ahead of the predicted 6am after all (please!)

00:20 It seems not only the humans are enjoying our live General Election coverage....

00:17 Time to salute our tech team who are helping keep your live stream 'streaming' without interuption. Fuelled by tea and Maltesers (other forms of sustenance and chocolate brands are available)

00:11 The big question a bad night for the SNP poses of course is around independence. Its leader John Swinney said that if his party won the most seats in Scotland that result would amount to a mandate for negotiations with Westminster on a second independence referendum. The party's predicted ten seats will throw that plan into the mire.

23:59 So for those wondering about throwing their last tenner at the betting for the next MP for Arran, here is how Bet365 see it - and it's a lot closer than our other two seats.

23:54 Ballot boxes are just starting to arrive from Millport and Arran at the count in North Ayrshire. Going to be a late one for the counters there we fear...

23:43 If the exit polls are correct then it will be a "very difficult night for the SNP" admits Lochaber and Skye MSP Kate Forbes.
Scotland's deputy first minister has blamed an uprising against the Tories for the swing, saying: "We know that in this election people were very much voting for a change from the disastrous Conservative UK Government."

23:34 So as the count gets under way in earnest for Argyll and Bute, lets have a look at how the stats broke down in the 2019 election shall we? In true Blue Peter style, here's a graphic we prepared earlier to do just that...

23:32 Second UK result is in and it's another Labour hold, this time in Blyth and Ashington. Still waiting for the first result north of the border.

23:22 The first result for the UK is in and its hold for Labour in Houghton and Sunderland South. The first of many successes for Keir Starmer tonight according to the polls.

23:20 And in a wee break from the General Election perhaps you would like a holiday! - Subscribe to West Coast today and you could be in with a chance of winning a cruise - Click here (or the image below) To find out more.

23:15 The count in North Ayrshire and Arran is well under way at St Matthew's Academy. Again, the council there have been relying on boats to get ballots from Millport and Arran to the teams at the school in Saltcoats. So far, it appears it has been all plain sailing. Photos: North Ayrshire Council.

23:10 So we know the bookies have Brendan O'Hara as a hot favourite to be one of the ten SNP candidates to hold onto their seat, but what do they predict for our other constituences? They think the SNP will also triumph in Inverness, Skye and West-Rosshire, pricing them up as 2/7 shots. Labour are next in the betting at 9/2 and a quid from down the back of the sofa on Reform or the Greens will return you £300, plus your stake. Maybe best holding onto that cash...

23:05 Well we did promise you the election night staple earlier...dog at polling station photo, and we don't like to disappoint, so here you are. Special prize for anyone who can identify the Taynuilt pooch and  tell us who he was down to vote for...

23:01 Our reporters Megan Day and Jodie Hagan are live now at the Argyll and Bute count - and in need of some tips to help them make the predicted 3am finishing line. All tips for staying awake and alert while they bring you all the interviews, analysis and breaking news will be most welcome. 

Email election2024@wyvexmedia.co.uk with your own tips, or election based pictures especially your pets.

22:46 The ballot boxes have started to arrive at Lochgilphead. Photograph: Kevin McGlynn

22:45 The votes from the islands will be arriving by two helicopters - one will bring the ballot boxes from Gigha, Islay and Jura and the second will be transporting the ballots from Colonsay, Coll, Tiree, Mull and Iona. There will be a boat bringing over the boxes from Bute while the votes from Ardnamurchan are coming by land. Our eagle-eyed team will be capturing them as they arrive to share the footage right here.

22:40 The West Coast Today newshound may have found the best seat in the house to make it through the night...

22:35 Times for a wee bit of election trivia to keep you entertained while we wait for the candidates to arrive at the various counts. Most people know that to stand as a candidate in a UK Parliamentary General Election you need to be at least 18 years old - but not many realise that members of the police or armed forces, as well as judges, are forbidden from putting themselves forward as a candidate.

22:11 Exit poll predicts landslide Labour victory, gaining 209 seats across the UK to end with 410 seats and a majority of 170. A disaster for the Tories, losing 241 seats to end with a predicted 131. In Scotland, the SNP are looking at a tough night with the loss of 38 seats according to the poll. Time will tell how accurate those predictions will be.

22:09 And here is how the bookies see the betting for Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber as the polls close. 

22:02 We’ve never seen a poor bookie, so it is worth looking to see how they are pricing up the voting for tonight. Bet365 have the SNP as hot 1/4 favourites for the new Argyll and Bute seat. Brendan O’Hara will be hoping they have called this one correctly…but for those of us old enough to remember, Buster Douglas was 150/1 to beat Mike Tyson all those years ago and we know what happened that night...

22:00 Polls Have Closed

21:55 So we aren't just covering the election for Argyll and Bute, we are also keeping an eye on the count for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, as well as North Ayrshire and Arran. Keep an eye for updates from both of those as the night goes on.

21:45  Prior to the polls opening earlier today, and remember they are closing in 15 minutes, our reporters Megan Day and Jodie Hagan took to the streets of Oban to ask where people would be putting their 'x' this time around. Here's another chance to catch what they found out.

Click here To Listen

21:28 We do have some breaking news to bring you because as we all know, no election day would be complete without some animal fun.

Feel free to send your pets at polling station
photos to send emails to election2024@wyvexmedia.co.uk

 We promise to bring you some pets at polling stations later, but for now we have a late entry to the election. George the Cat is hoping to head to Westminster on behalf of the Dreamies Party. He promises to represent Argyll and Bute to the best of his ability in staring contests and the undoubted need for 5am wake-up calls.

We don't know how much George will eat into the SNP majority, but he gets our vote so far! Feel free to post your pets at polling station photos to our titles' Facebook pages.

21:03 Argyll and Bute is now a redundant constituency, following the boundary change in 2024.

 The seat was won held by Brendan O'Hara for the Scottish National Party and the SNP candidate will be going into the night confident of protecting his majority of 4,110 from the 2019 election. But with experts predicting a tough night for the party, will it be enough? The seat itself will be contested tonight under the new Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber Constituency umbrella.

20:44  Welcome to our live coverage of the General Election counts from across the west coast.

Our reporting teams are on the scene and we will be bringing you all the breaking news, analysis, facts and figures and interviews as the evening progresses. We hope you will stay with us as the votes are counted to decide your new MPs.

Our Coverage will begin from 9pm onwards on July 4th 2024

Our team is preparing now for a long day ahead.