VIDEO: Aberdeen South MP Callum McCaig and Leave campaigner Douglas Thomson give their thoughts at the count ahead of shock Brexit decision
Aberdeen has voted to remain within the European Union by a comfortable majority.
The Granite City voted to stay inside the EU by 63,985 to 40,729.
Despite canvassing throughout the city by the Leave campaign, the north-east community chose to remain by 61%.
It was one of the largest turnouts ever in Aberdeen, with 104,809 votes cast out of a possible total of 154,266, with a total turnout of 67.9%.
The turnout for 2014’s Scottish independence referendum was 87%.
Aberdeen City Council overwhelmingly came out in favour of staying in the EU community in the run-up to today’s historic referendum, with almost every councillor supporting the Remain campaign, including the leaders of the Labour, SNP and Liberal Democrat groups within the local authority.
Aberdeen City Council finance convener Willie Young said: “it was a good result for the city of Aberdeen, I just wish more people had put their faith in the European Union because it is so important to our city.
“We receive so many vital benefits from the EU so its important that Aberdeen has decided to stay in.”
Only Eurosceptic Ross Thomson, the council’s finance vice convener and MSP for the north-east of Scotland, supported leaving the EU and stood out throughout the campaign as the north-east’s most prominent voice in favour of the UK becoming independent.
Mr Thomson’s husband and campaign partner spoke on behalf of the MSP last night: “I actually think it’s really really good result, especially for a city that was described as the most pro- EU city in Scotland.
“Obviously the voting is still going on throughout the night, so I’m quietly optimistic and so is Ross.”
Aberdeen North MP Kirsty Blackman said: “I’m really pleased that we got a remain vote in Aberdeen.
“Aberdeen is such an international city, we do so much exporting and we’re really outward looking, so it always looked like it would turn out this way so I’m really pleased this city has voted to stay inside the European Union. ”
