The Scottish parliament election will be held on May 7, with voters going to the polls in a little over six weeks. In the 2021 election, the SNP returned 64 seats, just one short of a majority. A number of political big hitters will not be standing for re-election, including former first ministers Nicola Sturgeon and Humza Yousaf, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, and ex-Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross. Dozens of other veteran MSPs are also deciding to step down.
The SNP is aiming to win its fifth consecutive Scottish election, but polling suggests the party's popularity has dipped since Nicola Sturgeon's time in charge. SNP leader John Swinney said he is hoping to convince independence supporters to come out in force in May. Swinney said that if his party won a majority, at least 65 out of 129 seats, it would deliver the prize of securing Scotland's right to decide its constitutional future in a referendum. A second referendum would have to be signed off by the UK government, which has repeatedly refused to countenance another vote. At an event in Glasgow, Swinney pledged to improve NHS performance, help first-time home buyers with a £10,000 grant and expand free childcare. Swinney also said an SNP majority would lock Nigel Farage out of any influence at Holyrood, claiming there could be a grubby backroom deal between Farage's party and Labour after the election.
I felt a strong urge to speak up for my beliefs - particularly around class and feminism.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has positioned himself as the leading candidate to replace Swinney as first minister. His party seemed on track to sweep aside the SNP after a landslide victory in the 2024 UK general election, but recent polling suggests the party is in a battle for second place. Sarwar insisted that he planned to walk the narrow path he had to become first minister, and said Swinney should be ashamed for suggesting Labour could agree a deal with Reform. Sarwar added that the SNP leader wanted to talk up Reform rather than his party's own record. Sarwar accused Nigel Farage's party of previously running horrific adverts about him and said Reform is the Tories in disguise. At the Glasgow event, Sarwar unveiled plans to recruit 2,000 specialist teachers to help children who have fallen behind in literacy and numeracy catch up, as well as an additional 1,500 classroom assistants. Sarwar vowed his party would fix the mess, get the basics right and build a better future.
The Conservatives, who since 2016 have been Holyrood's second-largest party, are facing a tough fight to retain that position. The party is one of several which could find itself squeezed by a rise in support for Reform, which is hoping to make an electoral breakthrough north of the border in May. Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay urged unionist voters to rally behind his party to prevent an SNP majority and a second referendum.
Like a lot of people of my generation, the independence referendum marked a turning point. It made me far more likely to debate, engage and get involved in what was happening around me.
The Scottish Greens have set their sights on gaining their first ever constituency seat. Holly Bruce, a 32-year-old Glasgow councillor representing the Langside ward, will contest former first minister Nicola Sturgeon's Glasgow Southside seat. Under new leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay, the Scottish Greens hope to gain on the party's record eight seats from 2021. Sanne Dijkstra-Downie, a Dutch-born councillor, hopes to make the jump from councillor to MSP.
It was the height of Brexit turmoil and Trump's first campaign. I didn't ease into politics - I was thrown straight into the deep end.
The era of stale, performative politics is over. It's time for something real. That means being present.
I live in the community that I am seeking to represent. I will continue to work alongside local people and community groups. Showing up consistently. Practicing genuine, grassroots local politics - not just talking about it.
It also means changing who gets to lead. We need stronger representation of young, working-class women in politics.
I will bring a gendered lens to the work every single day - pushing not just for the promise of equality, but for equality that is lived, felt, and real.
That is what I have done as a Glasgow councillor, particularly with my work around feminist town planning and my local campaigning, and it is what I will bring to Holyrood.