The Scottish Election: Weekly Politics Roundup (Two Weeks to go)

Ed Davey (L) campaigns with Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Alex Cole-Hamilton (R) in South Queensferry. Credit: Jason Fong / Strathclyde Telegraph

There is just over two weeks to go until the election and the competition to be the next First Minister is truly heating up. Please excuse my two-week hiatus; this politics editor was finishing her fourth year…unfortunately, sometimes essays come before this column. Here’s what to catch up on ahead of the election:

• The major event of the past week was the first Leaders’ debate, which saw the all-male line-up of the top seven parties debate and answer the public’s questions. The most shocking moment was when Reform leader Malcom Offord accused Labour leader Anas Sarwar of asking to join forces to take down the SNP, a claim Sarwar has denied. The issue of independence was the major dividing issue and neither Scottish Conservative leader, Russel Findlay, nor Anas Sarwar gave a clear answer on what circumstances would mandate an independence vote. Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Lib Dems’ leader, said that he hadn’t thought about another referendum.

• John Swinney told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that he was confident that the SNP would win a majority in the election. The most recent polls suggest the party is on track to stay in power.

• The SNP revealed their manifesto, emphasising the cost of living as the main issue for Scottish voters. They have pledged to cap bread and milk prices as well as put a £2 cap on bus fares for journeys taken on one service. However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said that the SNP’s pledges lacked credible plans to pay for them, and the food prices pledge has been labelled a gimmick by retailers.

• Key battleground seats have been identified, including Edinburgh Central, Eastwood, Rutherglen and Cambuslang and Shetland. These seats will be crucial in determining what party will win the election, with most of the seats being a close race between Labour and the SNP.

• Alex Cole-Hamilton has signalled that the Liberal Democrats may be open to supporting Anas Sarwar for First Minister, but would deny support for the Conservative or Reform leaders if they were to win the election.

• STV staff are planning on striking on election day, meaning that planned election coverage may be disturbed or cancelled due to a dispute over a pay freeze.

The countdown is getting shorter and the deadline to register to vote has passed. All the major parties have now released their manifestos, so now would be a good time to see what parties are pledging and how it could impact you. Whilst the SNP are expected to win, this does not mean the election is over. The party may not win a majority; there is a lot of room for shock results and close wins in battleground seats. Have a look at Question Time in Aberdeen tonight for another chance to watch the major party leaders.