Members of the Scottish parliament have backed Labour's Jack McConnell to continue as first minister.

The confirmation vote on Thursday afternoon followed the successful conclusion of coalition talks between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

McConnell was backed by all 67 of the Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs, giving him an absolute majority and allowing his name to go forward to the Queen as the parliament's nominee for the top post in the Scottish executive.

The SNP's John Swinney gained 26 votes while David McLetchie of the Conservatives was backed by all 18 of his MSPs.

Scottish Socialist leader Tommy Sheridan received six votes, a number matched by Robin Harper of the Greens.

Of the other independent candidates, Dennis Canavan and Margo MacDonald took two votes each.

Ahead of the vote, McConnell had told the parliament that "after eighteen months as first minister I have never been more certain of the priorities for Scotland and of our purpose for the next four years".

"Government must be on the side of decent hardworking Scots. We must grow the Scottish economy to create good jobs. And we must reform public services to deliver excellence," he said.

The first minister pledged that lessons were being learnt from the public apathy that became evident during the election campaign.

"The people of Scotland had high expectations for this parliament. But too many are yet to be convinced we are a force for good. We will listen to them. And we will raise our game," he pledged.

"We should set our sights high, serve those who elect us well and aim to create the kind of Scotland all Scots, young and old, can be proud to call home."