Friday May 8th 2026
The Midlothian North election count begins
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The count is officially underway in the Midlothian North constituency as candidates, counting staff and party activists gather at Lasswade High School with separate goals of securing the long-held SNP seat.
Following the Midlothian View hosted Midlothian North election hustings, it is set to be an interesting race as SNP candidate Colin Beattie fights to defend his seat after three terms as MSP against a strong challenge from Labour, Conservative threats and the recent Reform UK shakeup.
Candidates and party members arrived at the count centre early this morning for the first day time count since the change.
See below live updates since the count began:
Live updates:
13:30: Scottish Labour candidate Caitlin Stott arrives to the count.
12:15: Returning officer shares turnout numbers
The Returning Officer has announced that the total number of ballot papers to be counted is 29,067 with an elector turnout of 51.2%.
12:01: Reform UK candidate optimistic, predicting a ‘fairly good turnout’
With Reform threatening all parties, candidate Pal Chidabaram expressed his optimism, explaining to the Midlothian View that he is ‘predicting a fairly good turnout’.
He explained: “In 2024, we had a 7% vote share. So as far as we are concerned, if we have more than that we are doing well and we are expected to grow as the party grows’.
Talking at the Midlothian North hustings on the 22 April, the candidate explained that he had ‘only been a politician for three weeks’, despite this is showing to be a strong threat against Caitlin Stott.
10:47: Conservative show lack of optimism and highlighted Reform UK threat
The concern that Reform UK would split Conservative votes was highlighted by Conservative candidate Phil Doggart who explained to me that ‘SNP have won but Reform are taking a huge chunk of constituency votes’.
Doggart told me that he isn’t confident about his chances, with Reform UK taking Conservative votes.
He also highlighted that Reform are causing a great concern to Labour.
10:36: Beattie enthusiastic but concerned about Reform threat
Fighting for his seat that he has defended since since 2011, SNP candidate Colin Beattie aims to continue being Midlothian North’s MSP following the vote.
Speaking to Beattie at the count, he explained to me that he is enthusiastic but concerned about Reform UK who ‘are showing to be a real threat’.
Since taken from Labour in 2011, it has been a solid SNP seat but this new threat from Reform is causing concern amongst Beattie and his team, explaining that he is ‘enthusiastic’ but unsure and concerned about Reform UK’s Pal Chidambaram threat which he added as ‘causing a great concern to Labour’.
10:30AM: SNP optimism
As SNP benefit from a reliable core vote with pro-independence votes not split due to no contingency candidate from the Scottish Green’s, Colin Beattie’s team are keeping an eager eye as Labour reliant on strong mobilisation amongst voters seeking a change in government.
Turnout seems strong which is key for Stott as herself and her team target change voters in the constituency. Labour MP Kirsty McNeil stands opposite counting staff, taking a note of the votes so far.
The count is going smoothly. SNP continues to show optimism, crowding counting tables.
Labour and Conservative show similar enthusiasm, despite no sign of Labour candidate Caitlin Stott.
09:48: Midlothian Council leader comes to show support
Midlothian Council leader Kelly Parry and Midlothian Provost Debbi McCall arrive at Lasswade High School to show support for SNP.
09:15AM – Count begins in Midlothian North
Ballot boxes have been opened and the count has begun.
Candidates and their teams gather round ballot boxes with the goal of gaming an early understanding of voters’ decisions.
The candidates:
– Colin Beattie (SNP)
– Caitlin Stott (Scottish Labour and Co-operative Party)
– Phil Doggart (Conservative and Unionist Party)
– Pal Chidambaram (Reform UK)
– Jenny Claire Marr Butler (Scottish Liberal Democrats)
Why this seat matters:
Like other seats, Midlothian North is a new constituency after Musselburgh was taken out of the constituency due to boundary changes.
Historically, being an area of SNP supporters, turnout is key as Beattie defends his seat with the SNP aiming to benefit from a reliable core vote. With no Scottish Green candidate in Midlothian North, pro-independence votes won’t be split.
Due to recent issues in the area and political shift, Labour candidate Caitlin Stott and her team are looking to challenge Beattie, targeting the voters who are seeking change after 20 years of SNP rule. Recent issues surround public transport and services, which Stott has been a strong supporter of. With the possibility of Conservative votes being split with Reform, it is also an interesting battle for Conservative candidate Phil Doggart and Reform UK newcomer Pal Chidambaram.
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