The SNP has lost 21 seats in the General Election as the Conservatives and Labour made gains in Scotland.
But while the Conservatives have lost their majority south of the border, the SNP has retained theirs, with 35 seats of the total of 59.
While the position of the SNP has weakened it has not ruled out the possibility of a second independence referendum, which will dismay business and property companies north and south of the border looking for stability.
The BBC reported that when asked about the impact of the lost SNP seats on her desire to hold a second independence referendum, Nicola Sturgeon said: “Like most politicians I have not had any sleep and I am not going to take any rash decisions.
“Clearly I have to reflect on the result of the election and I will take time to do that. But it would be the wrong thing for me to do at this hour to take decisions before having had the opportunity to properly think about it.
“But properly think about it I will certainly do.”
First minister Sturgeon wrote to Westminster formally demanding the referendum in March after the Scottish Parliament backed a second vote.
But when launching the SNP manifesto, Sturgeon appeared to backtrack, saying, “not now, but when the final terms of the deal are known”.
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