KEITH BROWN will return to Holyrood for a fourth term as MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane following last week's elections.

The area's long-standing representative took the highest share of votes after electors went to the polls last Thursday, May 6, in the Scottish Parliament Elections.

Mr Brown received 16,504 votes, 47.2 per cent of all ballots cast, in an election that saw the turnout rocket to nearly 66.4 per cent, up from 58.8 per cent in 2016.

Speaking after his re-election was confirmed by returning officer Niki Bridle, Keith Brown said: "I am absolutely delighted to be re-elected with an increased majority for the SNP.

"It really is truly humbling that the people of the Clackmannanshire and Dunblane constituency have put their trust in me once again to represent their interests in the Scottish Parliament.

"Following the declaration, I thanked the returning officer and staff for an extremely efficient count, despite being in the middle of a pandemic, Police Scotland for ensuring that we can indeed exercise our democratic rights, and, of course, my election agent Ellen Forson.

"I also thanked the people of Clackmannanshire and Dunblane for returning me for a fourth term.

"I have now been an elected representative for over 25 years and I will never take for granted the trust that people place in me when they cast their votes.

"I look forward to continuing to work with local communities, groups and organisation in making their voice heard."

After the dust settled and all votes were counted in what was a marathon election weekend, the SNP ended up just one seat shy of a majority at Holyrood.

Reflecting on the national result, Mr Brown added: "Across the country, this was a phenomenal election result for the SNP.

"In circumstances unlike any of us will have fought an election campaign before, we have seen the highest ever turnout with a record number of new voters, delivering the highest ever SNP vote, indeed the highest vote for any party ever in a Scottish election.

"Standing on a bold and exciting manifesto, the SNP has won more seats than Tory, Labour and Lib Dems combined, and the new Scottish Parliament has a record pro-independence majority of 15."

As previously reported, Mr Brown said the focus should be on the recovery from the pandemic and eventually on a second independence referendum.

Speaking after the weekend, he added: "The majority of people in Scotland back a progressive, inclusive, outward looking vision for the future of our nation.

"We will now get on with the job of leading the country through and out of the pandemic, kick-starting the recovery and, when the crisis has passed, giving people in Scotland the right to choose their own future."