Scottish voters will go to the polls on May 7 2026 to elect 129 members of the Scottish Parliament.
Current polls suggest that John Swinney and the Scottish National Party (SNP) are on track for a fifth term in office, with around one third of voters intending to vote SNP.
Scottish Labour’s support has weakened as dissatisfaction with the UK government has grown, leaving Labour level with Reform UK for second place.
Recent polling by Survation indicates that, if current intentions hold, the SNP will win 61 seats—four short of an outright majority—with both Labour and Reform securing 18 MSPs each.
Swinney has ruled out a coalition with Reform, though the SNP has governed in coalition with the Scottish Greens in the past.
Survation’s Damian Lyons says that support for SNP is “steady” while Reform’s momentum is “stalling.”
The elections, which coincide with local contests in England and Wales, will provide a key measure of voter sentiment since the UK general election.
In Scotland, debates have centred on the cost of living, public services, NHS waiting times, affordable housing, and the case for Scottish independence.
The SNP’s campaign stresses governmental stability and reiterates its commitment to independence. Swinney has said that an SNP victory in May should pave the way for a new independence referendum.
The Scottish Greens also support a second referendum—often referred to as “indyref2”—while Scottish Labour and the Conservatives remain firmly opposed.
Labour is positioning itself as the party of change, pledging greater opportunities for young people and workers, tax relief, and stronger public services.
The Conservatives are offering tax and regulatory cuts, centred on economic growth.
Reform UK, now led by Malcolm Offord, has yet to publish a detailed policy platform.
At the University of Edinburgh, a recent Edinburgh Union debate passed a motion declaring “no confidence in the Scottish government ahead of the Holyrood election,” reflecting low levels of support among participating students.
For students, Holyrood elections have more immediate impact than Westminster elections. The Scottish Parliament controls tuition fees, financial support, university funding, and housing policy.
On tuition, the SNP, Labour, and the Greens support free undergraduate education for Scottish students, while the Conservatives argue for a loan-based system.
The Greens are the strongest advocates for rent controls and limits on private landlords, a policy also backed by the SNP. Reform UK’s stance on student focused issues remains unclear.
“Arthur’s Seat – aerial – 2025-04-19 03” by 瑞丽江的河水 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.