The Holyrood elections will take place on Thursday 7 May to elect a new Scottish parliament. These elections have taken place every five years since the Scottish parliament was established in 1999, and mark one of the most important dates in the Scottish political calendar.
Unlike the Westminster elections, which use the First Past the Post system (FPTP), Holyrood elections use the Additional Member System (AMS). This gives each constituent two votes: a regional and constituency vote. The constituency vote determines the individual MSP elected to represent their constituents, while the regional vote utilises an additional formula to determine the parties to represent each of the eight regions. This system gives small parties and individual candidates the chance to be elected but does result in coalition governments.
In the run-up to the election, parliament is dissolved to allow for campaigning. This year, this period runs from 26 March to 8 April. During this time, committees adjourn and unpassed bills fall, while government ministers and the presiding officer continue to serve.
Following the election, each elected MSP is sworn in through an oath, and the parliament then appoints the First Minister, who appoints cabinet secretaries. Regular parliamentary processes occurring before dissolution are then resumed.
The issue of independence is (and continues to be) a prominent topic at this year’s election. The election will determine whether there is a pro-independence majority and the potential for another referendum. The Scottish National Party (SNP) currently holds majority rule and promises to “deliver independence,” but parties such as the Scottish Greens also believe that independence is the only way to tackle Scotland’s issues (their main focus is largely on the climate crisis, however).
Similar to the wider UK Conservative Party’s 14 years in power, there appears to be public fatigue towards the SNP, who have held government since May 2007. This gives competing parties the ammunition to blame public discontent on the SNP, particularly in light of the controversies the party has faced in recent years. Sturgeon’s resignation and Peter Murrel’s embezzlement charges only scratch the surface of the scandal which has unsettled the party.
Key issues being raised by campaigners include housing shortages, NHS waiting times, and drug fatalities. However, Reform UK’s increasing popularity in Scotland is dividing opposition to the SNP, particularly increasing competition between Scottish Labour and the Scottish Conservatives. The Scottish Greens and Scottish Liberal Democrats are also campaigning heavily, claiming that Scotland needs a change from the SNP.
While students at the University of Edinburgh may wander around campus unaware or uncaring of the monumental political process already in play, students who are aware of the election are indeed politically active. Banners outside the university’s main library promote independent parties such as Edinburgh & East Lothian People. This party in particular aims to steer voters away from traditional politicians to voting for the “people” instead. The party even claims to be “neutral” on independence, wanting to “fix politics” first.
Parties such as this one confirm that this parliamentary election is to be different, to say the least. However, despite public weariness of the SNP, with Reform UK’s divisive nature it is difficult to predict if there even exists a large party with significant influence to knock the SNP off its perch.
It truly is all to play for, and the best way to be involved is to vote! Anyone living in Scotland above the age of 16 is eligible. This election is sure to have long term effects on Scottish politics, so it is imperative you have your say.
Image by Cordelia Murray-Brown.