Jim Fletcher on the referendum result

He told the Extra:“The strong No vote in East Renfrewshire reflected our local positive canvas results particularly in the Eastwood part of the area. I think the constitutional argument has gone on for far too long and I am delighted it has been settled so decisively for a generation. The engagement of local people was great and culminated in such a high turnout but the downside was that at times you felt the country was in the middle of a civil war.

“I am looking forward to focussing on improving services for local residents. I think local people will welcome their councillors getting back to doing the job that they were elected to perform.”

Mr Fletcher also praised Better Together chairman Blair McDougal, who is from East Renfrewshire. He added: “Blair lived in flat in Thornliebank Main Street. I first met him in the late nineties when he showed Allan Steele and I to our seats in the Eastwood Theatre for the Woodfarm High school show. Allan was Provost and I was Convener of Education at the time. Blair started his political career as a young lad helping out in Jim Murphy’s parliamentary office. He has done very well and I use Blair’s story to inspire our current generation of young people, that someone from a modest background can advance very quickly to an important national job.”