LABOUR'S new Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP has promised change following her election victory.

Ms Stewart, who represents the Doon Valley ward on East Ayrshire Council, was elected as the new constituency MSP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock gaining the seat from incumbent Allan Dorans.

Ms Stewart 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.

Ms Stewart took 14,930 votes, a 36.5 per cent share of the 40,936 votes cast.

The SNP's Alan Dorans (10,776 votes) was second and the Conservatives' Martin Dowey (9,247) third.

The SNP's vote share fell by 17.2 per cent as Mr Dorans failed in his bid to retain the seat he won in 2019.

The Conservatives vote share also dropped, by 15.9 per cent, from when now South Ayrshire Council leader Mr Dowey last stood.

Elsewhere, Andrew Russell (Reform) took 3,544 votes, while Paul Kennedy (Lib Dem) earned 1,081, Korin Vallance (Green) had 886.

Corri Wilson, who won the seat in 2015 as an SNP candidate, but this time was standing for Alba, trailed in last place with 472.

The result was announced at around 4.46am by returning officer Mike Newall.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Stewart said: “The hard work starts now because people have put their faith in me – and now I’ve got to deliver.

“Our towns and villages have been left behind so we need to get some clarity about where we’re going.

“We need to level them up a wee bit. Ayr town centre is a bit of a mess just now so we will be working hard to try and sort that now.

“People were fed up with the way politics were going and the word change came up so many times on the doorsteps so we knew that was resonating with people.”

The newly elected MP says her election will also help drive change far beyond her constituency.

She continued: “This victory is not just about the Scottish Labour party, it is a vote to change Scotland. It is a vote of shared values that unite us in fairness, equality and a deep commitment to social justice.

“Tonight we stand united in our determination to build a society that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.

“The Scottish Labour Party is focussed our priorities on working people, we will deliver economic stability, cheaper bills, cut NHS waiting times, get a new deal for working people with a rise for over 200,000 Scots, jobs and opportunities for our young people and we will maximise Scotland’s influence at Westminster.

“We ran this election as a changed Labour party, so thank you for putting your trust in us.

“We’re on course for a Labour government at Westminster which will have Scotland at the heart.”

She also moved to thank a number of people, including election staff, police, her campaign team and her family for their "unwavering support".

Ms Stewart said: “Thank you so much. I stand here before you tonight with immense gratitude and humility – and I am deeply honoured by the trust the people of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock have placed in me.

“To all my supporters who believe in our vision and stood with us every step of the way, this win belongs to you as much as it belongs to me.

“Thank you to the first time voters and everyone who has voted for Scottish Labour, I can assure you that I will do everything I can to deliver the change that the people of Scotland have voted for in this election.

“I also want to extend my respect to all the other candidates standing here tonight, we have run a clean dignified campaign – so thank you very much everybody.

“Running a campaign requires dedication and passion and I think everybody on this stage tonight has done that.”