And so the winners are the losers, and the vanquished have become the victors.
It’s a funny old game, this politics malarkey.
Thursday was one of the most astonishing, compelling, and confusing elections in my lifetime. Those who won are under pressure and those who lost are on a roll.
Theresa May and the Conservatives won most seats, and got the most votes. Indeed, as many votes as Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair got at the height of their pomp and popularity.
But, in a polarised election, where every other party were mere also-rans – or in the case of UKIP barely ran at all – the nation divided as never before in recent history. And the “winner” is now seen as a loser. And the “loser”, Jeremy Corbyn and Labour, despite being scores of seats behind, are regarded as the winners.
Who could have predicted all that?!
Firstly, hands up, I didn’t expect the Conservatives to lose ground.
I, like most commentators, pundits and bookies, forecast a bigger UK Tory majority at the end of the campaign.
And so, like the nation – and including Labour supporters – I gave a gasp when Big Ben bonged and the exit poll was revealed.
My gob was well and truly smacked.
But, regarding the results in Scotland, regular readers will know I was closer to calling it. And I put my money where my mouth was. So to William Hill, thank you for giving me 8-1 on the Tories wining Gordon. I will spend my winnings wisely.
Indeed, I had argued in these pages that it would be a different election north of the border. That it would be a fight for Indyref2 or IndyrefOff. That there was a new choice in many parts of our country between the SNP and the Scottish Conservatives. And that the tide was turning.
Peak Nat had passed. Cheerio Angus, Goodbye Alex. And farewell Tasmina.
So here in Scotland, the “winners”, the SNP, are the losers. Indeed, if a mere 318 people in total had switched from them and backed the party who came second in just half a dozen seats, another six would have fallen from Nationalist hands.
The “losers”, who are the biggest winners, are the Scots Tories. Nowhere is that more evident than in Press and Journal land. The Conservatives are back, and the map is blue. It was, by any measure, an astonishing night for Ruth Davidson who now wields enormous influence over Scottish, and indeed UK, politics.
More, I would argue, than the DUP.
But what does it all mean and where do we go from here?
There are, understandably, questions about the future of the Prime Minister. And there seems to be three options for her. Soldier on, with support from the Ulster Unionists; go back to the country in the autumn and do it all again; or change leader and try a new person at the helm to try to steady the ship.
The first is underway, the second could be electoral suicide, and the third? Well those calls are underway and some are allegedly already on manoeuvres. Time will tell.
But if, understandably, some argue that the PM’s coat is on a shoogly peg (her two closest aides have already quit) then what about those at the top of the SNP?
A bit of perspective: The Tories lost a net 12 seats across the whole UK and gained votes. The Nationalists lost 21 seats in Scotland and over a quarter of their vote.
If the knives are out for Theresa, then should the claymores be sharpened for Nicola? The SNP said they stood for Scotland. Scotland asked them to sit down. Indyref 2 is over.
Politics is a bruising, brutal business
I know what it is like to lose an election. I was in No 10 on EU referendum night. When you have somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of expected victory, it is a stomach-churning, spirit-drooping, brainnumbing moment.
It is hard to make sense of it all. So I know how many are feeling right now. Brave faces masking deep scars.
But spare a thought for those whose lives have been turned upside down. For those without a job – the ex-MPs’ staff. They have slogged away for the benefit of the constituents whom their MPs served day in, day out, for mostly meagre pay.
And let’s spare a thought, too, for those who held office and were ousted. Because whatever we think about any particular politician, politics is a bruising, brutal business.
And they are real people with real emotions and frailties. Some went graciously, some with defiance. But all will be hurting.
So let’s put aside petty, partisan point-scoring for a moment and wish them well.
But just for a moment because, hey, that’s democracy. That’s politics. That’s life.
Sea of opportunity
The election was supposed to be all about Brexit. Across the UK, it wasn’t. But in a funny way, here in Scotland, it was. The SNP response to the decision to leave the EU was to demand another independence referendum.
That issue defined and divided the country. And Scotland spoke by 2-1. On Thursday, Scotland said No.
And, across the UK, something significant happened too. Those who argued for BrexitRef2 were roundly rejected. There is a new focus which the new Houses of Parliament and the Government must respect.
A new, inclusive and open way of taking the Commons, the people and the country forward.
The election wasn’t, unusually, about the economy, stupid. But Brexit must be. It must put our economic interests at the heart and soul of the talks.
The closest possible relationship with the single market. Immigration deals which ensure we have the talent which we need to thrive. Based on our economic needs.
And, for the north east, and fishing communities around the UK, the manifesto pledge to leave the disastrous Common Fisheries Policy must be seen through.
How good it was to see Ruth Davidson nail her considerable colours to that mast at the weekend. It is time to take back control of our seas and fish in the Sea of Opportunity which is now within our grasp.
