A north-east MSP has called for a period of “reflection and understanding” in the ranks of the SNP to understand why voters deserted them.
Both Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson haemorrhaged thousands of votes in the general election as they lost their seats to the Conservatives.
Now Moray MSP Richard Lochhead believes a period of soul searching is necessary within the SNP to understand why residents turned their back on them.
He said: “We must now take time to reflect and understand why many of our supporters voted Tory in the north-east despite widely diverging views on Conservative policies.
“The Tories managed to not only motivate their own supporters but also attract SNP voters.
“Clearly, this was a complex backdrop for an SNP election campaign but the timing of a second independence referendum and in particular the SNP’s support for continued EU membership were major factors.
“I met many voters who told me that although they were happy with the performance of the Scottish Government they were prepared to hold their nose in a Westminster election and vote Tory, or in some cases for other parties, in protest.”
In Moray, Mr Robertson’s support fell by about 6,000 from 2015 while his opponent, Douglas Ross, gained an extra 7,000.
Meanwhile, in Gordon, Mr Salmond lost 8,000 votes while Tory Colin Clark scooped an astonishing 15,000 more than he did two years ago.
Mr Lochhead believes similar factors could have affected the two seats as well as others the SNP lost to the Conservatives across the country.
Following the result the MSP immediately congratulated Mr Ross on his victory but believes the north-east will be “poorer” without his SNP colleagues.
Mr Lochhead is now ready to explain to the party leadership the reasons he believes Moray voted Tory.
He added: “My SNP colleagues and myself must now demonstrate we are listening and decide our next steps. We were never going to repeat the extraordinary success of 2015.
“We remain Scotland’s biggest party but we have to ensure we are in touch with all the people we represent and learn lessons.”