SNP left shocked by Labour surge across Scotland

Losses had been expected.

The SNP’s troubles are well known – disillusionment over a lack of progress towards independence, internal divisions over gender reform and the ongoing police investigation into party finances, to name a few.

But many in the SNP were shocked by the scale of defeat, as seat after seat turned from yellow to red.

So what now for John Swinney and his party? And what now for the question of independence?

After all, the SNP told voters a majority of Scottish seats would provide a mandate to negotiate on leaving the UK.

Of course, the party is not about to give up on its bid for another referendum, but it seems unlikely it can shift the dial any time soon.