What are the key issues in Scotland?
A new Scottish Parliament will be elected on Thursday 7 May, with the SNP asking the electorate for a fifth consecutive mandate to govern.
Unlike Wales, which has adopted the Closed List PR system, Scotland will continue to use the Additional Member System (AMS) to elect its 129 MSPs – 73 from single-member constituencies using the FPTP system, and 56 on the list system (seven members from eight regions around the country). Polling suggests that the SNP are on course to remain the largest party by a considerable distance, with some predicting they will win an overall majority (as they did in 2011).
Opposition parties will be keen to highlight what they consider to be the SNP’s failures in office, whilst the nationalist party will seek to present itself as the only party capable of standing up for Scotland and the Labour government in Westminster. With the main parties having now published their manifestos, it is worth considering what they are offering the electorate.
SNP: ‘Always On Scotland’s Side’
The SNP supports Scottish independence, arguing it would give Scotland full control over its economy, energy, and public services. Their policies focus on reducing the cost of living through childcare expansion, transport subsidies, and support for first-time buyers, alongside continued investment in the NHS and education. Economically, they emphasise growth through investment and renewable energy. The SNP defends its record in government, highlighting achievements such as increased NHS staffing, free university tuition, and reduced child poverty. They argue Scotland performs strongly compared to the rest of the UK. The SNP also criticises the Labour government at Westminster, claiming it limits Scotland’s potential and fails to act in Scotland’s interests.
Scottish Labour: Scotland Needs Change
Scottish Labour supports Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom and focuses on improving public services and living standards. Their priorities include reducing NHS waiting times, improving GP access, and expanding mental health services. They also aim to tackle the cost of living through childcare support, housing construction, and tax stability. In education, they propose more teachers, classroom assistants, and breakfast clubs to improve outcomes. Economically, they support job creation through apprenticeships and investment. Labour is critical of the SNP’s time in government, arguing it has failed to deliver basic services effectively, leading to long waiting times, struggling schools, and increased pressure on households, and that Scotland now needs change.
Scottish Conservatives: Get Scotland Working
The Scottish Conservatives are strongly pro-Union and oppose a second independence referendum, arguing the focus should be on the economy. They prioritise economic growth through lower taxes, reduced public spending, and support for businesses, including the oil and gas sector. Their plans include improving infrastructure, raising school standards, reducing NHS waiting times, and increasing police numbers. They emphasise efficiency and cutting government bureaucracy. The Conservatives are highly critical of the SNP’s record, claiming that after many years in power, Scotland faces stagnating growth, rising taxes, and declining public services. They argue SNP policies have prioritised constitutional issues over improving everyday outcomes for people across Scotland.
Scottish Liberal Democrats: Change With Fairness At Its Heart
The Scottish Liberal Democrats support remaining in the UK while improving relations with the EU. Their approach centres on fairness and strengthening public services. They prioritise faster access to GPs, improved mental health care, and a long-term workforce plan for the NHS and social care. Economically, they support growth through investment in skills, infrastructure, and businesses. In education, they focus on increasing support staff and improving outcomes. They also propose expanding housing and improving transport. The party is critical of the SNP’s time in government, arguing it has led to struggling public services, poor infrastructure decisions, and weak economic direction, and that Scotland needs practical, reform-focused leadership.
Scottish Greens: Let’s Demand Better
The Scottish Greens support Scottish independence and advocate a greener, more equal society. Their policies focus on tackling climate change by ending fossil fuel expansion, investing in renewable energy, and restoring nature. They also support higher taxes on the wealthy to fund public services, expand childcare, and reduce poverty. The Greens emphasise equality, human rights, and renters’ protections. While they have worked with the SNP in government, they argue the SNP has not gone far enough, particularly on climate action and social reform. They present themselves as offering a more ambitious, progressive alternative that links environmental sustainability with economic and social justice.
Reform UK: Manifesto for Scotland
Reform UK is strongly pro-Union and opposes Scottish independence, arguing Scotland should focus on growth within the UK. Its policies prioritise economic expansion through lower taxes, reduced government spending, and support for private enterprise. It backs North Sea oil and gas, opposes many net zero policies, and supports nuclear energy to reduce costs. On public services, it proposes NHS reform to cut waiting times and a more traditional, knowledge-based education system. It also emphasises law and order and prioritising local communities. Reform UK is highly critical of the SNP, arguing its time in government has led to economic stagnation, failing services, and excessive spending with poor outcomes.
Scottish Parliament Election Results, 1999-2021
1999: Labour (56 seats) formed a coalition with the Lib Dems (17). The SNP were the largest opposition party (35).
2003: Labour (50) and the Lib Dems (17) remained in office, with the election of the Scottish Socialist Party (6) the most surprising outcome.
2007: The SNP (47) form a minority government after finishing just ahead of Labour (46).
2011: The SNP (69) win a surprise overall majority, which they use as a mandate for an independence referendum.
2016: The SNP (63) lose their overall majority, but remain the largest party. The Conservatives (31) led by Ruth Davidson, replace Labour (24) as the largest opposition party.
2021: The SNP (64) gain one seat to remain in office, seeking support from the Scottish Greens (8), but this falls short of a coalition deal.