Nicola Sturgeon has said she will “move forward in the best interests of all of Scotland” after her party limped to a disappointing General Election slump.
The statement has prompted speculation the First Minister could look to put a new vote on Scottish independence on the backburner despite previously claiming voters “must have a choice” on separation following Brexit negotiations.
The SNP remain Scotland’s largest party at Westminster but lost a total of 21 seats across the country last night as pro-Union parties made a resurgence.
It comes just days after leading polling organisation Ipsos Mori found Ms Sturgeon’s personal approval ratings had gone into freefall, plummeting from +14 to -4 since September last year.
It also showed support for Scottish independence had fallen with 47% in favour and 53% against, versus a previous 50-50 split in previous surveys.
Responding to last night’s election results on social media, Ms Sturgeon said: “I am proud the SNP won the election in Scotland with more MPs than all other parties combined.”
“However, we had bitterly disappointing losses and my heartfelt thanks go to all of our brilliant candidates who were not re-elected.
“We will no reflect carefully on the results and move forward in the best interests of all of Scotland.
“UK wide, we will see to work with others to halt a hard Brexit and bring an end to austerity, where business as usual cannot be an option.”
Asked directly whether the result would impact her plans for a second independence vote, Ms Sturgeon said she would not “take any rash decisions”.
Following yesterday’s vote, Conservative Scottish Secretary David Mundell said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear the SNP bubble has burst.”
He added: “In the last two elections, the Scottish Parliament and council elections, the SNP vote has been down and that has been replicated tonight.
“It’s very clear why that is. People across Scotland don’t want another divisive independence referendum and Nicola Sturgeon has gone from being a figurehead in Scotland to being somebody that ordinary voters across Scotland deeply dislike.”
Lib Dem Jo Swinson, who defeated SNP candidate Paul Nicolson to retake the East Dunbartonshire constituency, claimed supporters of other parties had backed her to send a message to the First Minister.
She said: “I recognise all of those who put party allegiance to one side to send a clear message that East Dunbartonshire does not want another divisive independence referendum.
“Nicola Sturgeon, I hope you’re listening.”
Labour’s Gerard Killen, who won in Rutherglen and Hamilton West over nationalist Margaret Ferrier, said voters had rejected a return to the issue of Scottish self-determination.
After being elected last night, he declared: “This result is a rejection of austerity and a rejection of a divisive second independence referendum.
“Above all this result is a vote for a progressive manifesto and a fresh start for Rutherglen and Hamilton West.”