FROM the minute the first Glasgow results started coming in, the Scottish Conservatives knew they were in a good position.

David Meikle, who has held the only Tory seat in Glasgow for the last decade, celebrated after seven of his party colleagues were also elected.

The Tory’s success was described a “unbelievable” by members of the Greens and the SNP, with candidates securing seats in Shettleston, Linn, Newlands and Pollokshields.

Calton residents also chose a Tory councillor, along with voters in Victoria Park, Baillieston and Partick East.

David Meikle, who will be the Conservative group leader for Glasgow, said he was “absolutely delighted” with the result and said it indicated voters “were fed up with decades of Labour rule, and the SNP.”

He said: “The SNP have been in power in Holyrood for 10 years and they wanted a change.

“They have voted for different parties, so it’s clear they want more voices in local government.

“We have put forward a strong positive message locally, people want a mixture of opinions in the chambers.

“For the conservatives to win in the East End, South Side and West End....it is a great achievement and shows we are growing as a party.”

Mr Meikle said his party’s main focus now would be on pushing their plans to grow the city’s economy.

He said: “The city deal, growth of jobs and infrastructure is something we want to try and push the agenda on.

“We want Glasgow to utilise the city deal, create jobs and grow the economy. We believe in devolving powers to local people, and communities and make the city prosperous.”

His party colleague Thomas Kerr secured his seat in the Shettleston ward, and was at the Emirates Arena with his mum Deborah to celebrate.

The 20-year-old said: “A Conservative councillor winning a seat in Shettleston really goes to show how people really do want to see change.

“It shows people are wanting a strong opposition to the SNP and residents in the area want to get a fresh start at bettering their community.”

“[If you’re a Tory candidate] you never expect to win when you stand in the East End of Glasgow.”

Partick East and Kelvindale Conservative councillor Tony Curtis, said he wanted to help residents of the city who have had “major concerns” about the way the council has operated in the past.

The election’s youngest successful candidate was Euan Blockley, 19, who will join two SNP and one Labour councillor to represent the Linn Ward.

He said: “I will work to represent young and old in my ward and, starting Monday, I aim to get started right away.

“The message we are getting from the results is that a lot of people have had enough of the SNP and Nicola [Sturgeon] and they want the council to concentrate on the issues that matter.

“Residents have heard enough about independence. They want to see improvements in their area and we will work to make those improvements happen.”

In Glasgow, it will be the first time since 1999 that the Tories have had more than one councillor sitting in the City Chambers - a phenomenon which did not go unnoticed among other parties.

Maureen Burke, Labour councillor for the North East ward, said: “Certainly the Tories, people were saying prior to the election, would take votes. “If people weren’t voting Labour and they weren’t going for the SNP it would transfer to Tory.”