that is at ten to democrats. that is at ten to scotland, the bbc news channel and the iplayer. we're back with reaction to that at 10:30 on bbc one scotland. we'll see you then. cold winds abroad would weather to many parts of the uk, eyre turn dry overnight. increasingly wintry showers in northern scotland. colder than last night, not as wet as widely, winds won't be as strong. where we had clear skies, scotland and northern england, we are more likely to have a touch of frost. showers moving across into wales,

across the midlands towards the south—east of england, could be heavy with somehow and thunder. sunshine for northern england and the south—west of england, but in a cold day, temperatures nine, 12, that sort of order. not as windy, winds will be lighter on thursday. some showers around on thursday. friday does look drier, it will be a cold start, temperatures by day should be a little higher. good evening from a very sunny holyrood were tonight, the leaders of the main parties in scotland will meet in the final debate of the scottish parliamentary campaign. the next 20 minutes or so will be

building up to bbc scotland's coverage of that debate and stay with us afterwards for all of the reaction and analysis. we will be joined by our political correspondent and get the thoughts of voters and commentators to the events. first, my colleague ben brown looking at exactly how the voting system works here in scotland. in scotland, 129 seats were up for grabs in the scottish parliament, 73 of those represent each constituency in scotland, they are elected using the first past the post system. another 56 members representing a regions of scotland, voters get two balance, one person to be their constituency member of the scottish parliament and the other for a the scottish parliament and the otherfor a party the scottish parliament and the other for a party for the the scottish parliament and the otherfor a party for the region. in the original ballot, parties are allocated a number of msps, depending on how many votes they receive once the number of constituencies already one in that region is taken into account. in

order to make the overall result more personal. the scottish government is formed from the party that holds the most seats in parliament, or alternatively, a coalition of more than one party. let's talk to our political correspondent, who is here. two days from the vote, we have had four debates including tonight, when it takes place. what is at the candidates have to do and the parties have to do to get more people on their side? it’s parties have to do to get more people on their side? it's been a stranue people on their side? it's been a strange election _ people on their side? it's been a strange election because - people on their side? it's been a strange election because it's - people on their side? it's been a | strange election because it's only been a couple of weeks were candidates could go out and knock on voters' doors, most of it has been done virtually or by leaflet, so these debates are perhaps more important than normal because there is the real chance for the leaders of the party to talk to the country. independence has divided scottish voters for some time, and i think that does mean a lot of people in this country have probably made

their minds up about how they're going to vote, but this election is going to vote, but this election is going to vote, but this election is going to come down to a couple of things. it's going to come down to whether the different parties can mobilise their supporters in pandemic times, the ones who haven't taken up pasta votes, how many can get at the polling stations on thursday. —— if you haven't taken up postal votes. it's also going to come down to the wider shift are turnout and whether those supporters feel enthused by what they have seen from the parties. speaking to candidates of the last few days, that's what they're focused on just now, getting those core messages across, getting their supporters out, and persuading the people who maybe don't always turn out but could be key to this election, to get out and vote on thursday. what get out and vote on thursday. what is it, then. — get out and vote on thursday. what is it. then. on _ get out and vote on thursday. what is it, then, on your— get out and vote on thursday. what is it, then, on your mind _ get out and vote on thursday. what is it, then, on your mind that could deprive the scottish nationalists of the majority, the overwhelming majority, 65 seats that they want?

if that majority is key because that's what the snp hope will give them what they see as a customer on monday to go to borisjohnson and say, let's hold another independence referendum. it is more competitive than that but let's stick with effort of south africa what they see as a cost irony mandate to go to borisjohnson. —— let's stick with that for now. they're saying, do you want nicola sturgeon to be in charge of the decisions, do you like what she has done over the last year, then you need to vote snp to get her back into power. the question some are asking is whether independent supporters will feel as enthused as they might do on other occasions to come out and vote for the snp. —— independence supporters. the snp have won every election since 2014 in scotland, but the question is how big that victory has been forced up in 2015 and 2019, there was a really big turnout for the snp all their supporters were there. in 2017, it was slightly more problematic for them, they didn't manage to get

their core vote out and that led to their core vote out and that led to the situation where they lost seats. so the company did election. the system used to elect a parliament here is compared to, there are a lot of factors at play, it's notjust about independence, it's not necessarily just about the pandemic either. but i think nicola sturgeon will be trying to the country tonight, if you want me to stay in power, you need to vote for me. the other parties, conservatives and labour in particular, will be saying, well, the conservatives will be saying if you want to avoid another referendum, vote for us. and another referendum, vote for us. and a server, the new scottish labour leader, will talk about living on for that. leader, will talk about living on forthat. —— leader, will talk about living on for that. —— anas sarwar of the new scottish labour leader. they will be talking about the region of, they're going to have to turn at for voters. thank you for that. i think we can go to professor sirjohn curtice. professor of politics at the university of strathclyde. can you

hear me? i university of strathclyde. can you hear me? . . university of strathclyde. can you hear me? u, _, ., university of strathclyde. can you hear me? _, ., hear me? i can indeed come a good evenina. hear me? i can indeed come a good evening- thank _ hear me? i can indeed come a good evening. thank you _ hear me? i can indeed come a good evening. thank you for _ hear me? i can indeed come a good evening. thank you forjoining - hear me? i can indeed come a good evening. thank you forjoining us. l evening. thank you for 'oining us. so ou've evening. thank you for 'oining us. so you-ve been h evening. thank you for 'oining us. so you've been reading]— evening. thank you forjoining us. so you've been reading the - evening. thank you forjoining us. i so you've been reading the political ruins _ so you've been reading the political ruins over_ so you've been reading the political ruins over the last few weeks and months. — ruins over the last few weeks and months, how is looking in terms of an snp— months, how is looking in terms of an snp majority in holyrood? the an snp ma'ority in holyrood? the answer to an snp majority in holyrood? the answer to that _ an snp majority in holyrood? iie: answer to that question an snp majority in holyrood? tie: answer to that question is an snp majority in holyrood? “iil: answer to that question is it's probably looking more likely now thanit probably looking more likely now than it was at the back end of last week. _ than it was at the back end of last week, when there were signs that perhaps— week, when there were signs that perhaps snp support were slipping, but in _ perhaps snp support were slipping, but in truth the polls that have come — but in truth the polls that have come out _ but in truth the polls that have come out in the last two or three days. _ come out in the last two or three days, including couple today, suggest — days, including couple today, suggest perhaps that's not the case and we're _ suggest perhaps that's not the case and we're back a situation where perhaps— and we're back a situation where perhaps the snp are just under half of the _ perhaps the snp are just under half of the constituency vote, and that might. _ of the constituency vote, and that might. but— of the constituency vote, and that might, but i emphasise, mightjust be enough — might, but i emphasise, mightjust be enough to take them over the 65 murk. _ be enough to take them over the 65 murk, simply by virtue of winning enough _ murk, simply by virtue of winning enough extra constituencies from the

opposition— enough extra constituencies from the opposition that that alone would take them past the 65 murk. at this point. _ take them past the 65 murk. at this point. big _ take them past the 65 murk. at this point, big health warning, because ifthat's— point, big health warning, because if that's going to happen, it depends on the outcome in nine individuat— depends on the outcome in nine individual constituencies which are highly— individual constituencies which are highly marginal, that both labour or the conservatives are defending. it's very— the conservatives are defending. it's very difficult to tell from national— it's very difficult to tell from national opinion polls what's going on in _ national opinion polls what's going on in individual constituencies. when — on in individual constituencies. when we — on in individual constituencies. when we get pals at around 49% murk, we say. _ when we get pals at around 49% murk, we say. if— when we get pals at around 49% murk, we say, if that's replicated in terms — we say, if that's replicated in terms of— we say, if that's replicated in terms of a _ we say, if that's replicated in terms of a two or three point increase _ terms of a two or three point increase in— terms of a two or three point increase in the snp in these constituencies they will probably make _ constituencies they will probably make it. — constituencies they will probably make it, but of course, what will happen _ make it, but of course, what will happen in— make it, but of course, what will happen in these constituencies and whether— happen in these constituencies and whether it — happen in these constituencies and whether it will happen in enough of them _ whether it will happen in enough of them is _ whether it will happen in enough of them is the uncertainty. so the snp might— them is the uncertainty. so the snp might make it, they might not, probably— might make it, they might not, probably has little to do with the views _ probably has little to do with the views of— probably has little to do with the views of scotland as a whole about independence, and everything to do with the _ independence, and everything to do with the local circumstances for a local _ with the local circumstances for a local popularity of the candidates, what's _ local popularity of the candidates, what's the impact of incumbent msps standing _ what's the impact of incumbent msps standing down, how do people react

to brexit _ standing down, how do people react to brexit was like all these things will vary— to brexit was like all these things will vary across these crucial nine constituencies.— constituencies. ok, so is it a shoe-in. _ constituencies. ok, so is it a shoo-in, then, _ constituencies. ok, so is it a shoo-in, then, you - constituencies. ok, so is it a shoo-in, then, you believe, | shoo—in, then, you believe, potentially, that the pro—independence parties, even if the snp don't get their own majority, will have majority at holyrood? majority, will have ma'ority at payment majority, will have ma'ority at holyrood? that seems to be a shoe-in. _ holyrood? that seems to be a shoe-in. it — holyrood? that seems to be a shoo-in, it seemed _ holyrood? that seems to be a shoo-in, it seemed to - holyrood? that seems to be a shoo-in, it seemed to be - holyrood? that seems to be a| shoo-in, it seemed to be from holyrood? that seems to be a - shoo-in, it seemed to be from the shoo—in, it seemed to be from the beginning — shoo—in, it seemed to be from the beginning of the campaign, in truth, if the _ beginning of the campaign, in truth, if the most — beginning of the campaign, in truth, if the most recent polls are right, nothing. — if the most recent polls are right, nothing, really, as happened during this campaign except perhaps the greens— this campaign except perhaps the greens have made some progress, india. _ greens have made some progress, india. made — greens have made some progress, india, made sufficient progress that they may— india, made sufficient progress that they may well help with the snp to secure _ they may well help with the snp to secure a _ they may well help with the snp to secure a record number pro—independence msps —— indeed made sufficient _ pro—independence msps —— indeed made sufficient progress. and of course the holyrood system was designed to try to make it difficult to progress the path — try to make it difficult to progress the path towards independent, but may work— the path towards independent, but may work very much to the advantage of the _ may work very much to the advantage of the nationalist side, not because of the nationalist side, not because of alex _ of the nationalist side, not because of alex salmond's time to gain the system _ of alex salmond's time to gain the system but rather that the snp, as i said. _ system but rather that the snp, as i

said. might — system but rather that the snp, as i said, might get over the 65 murk and meanwhite _ said, might get over the 65 murk and meanwhile the greens look as if they are heading for a record performance. put those things together— performance. put those things together and probably about three fifths of— together and probably about three fifths of the new parliament will be in favour _ fifths of the new parliament will be in favour of independence, even though— in favour of independence, even though amongst the electorate as a whole. _ though amongst the electorate as a whole. it's— though amongst the electorate as a whole, it's a question almost the country— whole, it's a question almost the country evenly divided. professor sir john country evenly divided. professor sirjohn curtice, _ country evenly divided. professor sirjohn curtice, you _ country evenly divided. professor sirjohn curtice, you will- country evenly divided. professor sirjohn curtice, you will have - country evenly divided. professor sirjohn curtice, you will have a l sirjohn curtice, you will have a very busy next couple of days, thank you forjoining us. let's get the views know of a couple of voters. joining me is louise thomson from tranent in south scotland and ollie folayan from aberdeen. hello. hello. hi, there. i'll start with you. _ hello. hello. hi, there. i'll start with you, louise. _ hello. hello. hi, there. i'll start with you, louise. which way - hello. hello. hi, there. i'llstartj with you, louise. which way are hello. hello. hi, there. i'll start - with you, louise. which way are you living in the vote here for the hollywood government covered parliament? i’zre hollywood government covered parliament?— hollywood government covered arliament? �* :, :, :, , , parliament? i've traditionally been an snp sopporter_ parliament? i've traditionally been an snp supporter and _ parliament? i've traditionally been an snp supporter and will- parliament? i've traditionally been| an snp supporter and will continue to be one this week. i will definitely vote snp for my constituency, though i am a little

bit more open—minded on my regional vote. bit more open-minded on my regional vote. . bit more open-minded on my regional vote. :, , :, :, bit more open-minded on my regional vote. :, y:, :, :, , _ vote. 0k, and you are happy with the su: aestion vote. 0k, and you are happy with the suggestion from _ vote. 0k, and you are happy with the suggestion from the _ vote. 0k, and you are happy with the suggestion from the snp _ vote. 0k, and you are happy with the suggestion from the snp that - vote. 0k, and you are happy with the suggestion from the snp that if - vote. 0k, and you are happy with the suggestion from the snp that if they| suggestion from the snp that if they do get a majority, then they should push for a second independence referendum? i push for a second independence referendum?— push for a second independence referendum? i do want a second independence — referendum? i do want a second independence referendum - referendum? i do want a second independence referendum was l referendum? i do want a second i independence referendum was that referendum? i do want a second - independence referendum was that i wouldn't necessarily want it right now, or in the first half of the parliament. i think we have a lot of work to do on recovering the economy. and i think it could be a big distraction at a difficult time. but it's definitely something that i still want to see happen. qm. but it's definitely something that i still want to see happen.— but it's definitely something that i still want to see happen. ok, so you would not want _ still want to see happen. ok, so you would not want to _ still want to see happen. ok, so you would not want to see, _ still want to see happen. ok, so you would not want to see, even - still want to see happen. ok, so you would not want to see, even if - still want to see happen. ok, so you would not want to see, even if the i would not want to see, even if the snp do that a majority here on thursday, you would not want to see a in these, concerted move, for a second referendum vote in the next, what, year, two years? i second referendum vote in the next, what, year, two years?— what, year, two years? i don't think so. i what, year, two years? i don't think so- i think — what, year, two years? i don't think so- i think if— what, year, two years? i don't think so. i think if there _ what, year, two years? i don't think so. i think if there was _ what, year, two years? i don't think so. i think if there was a _ what, year, two years? i don't think so. i think if there was a vote - what, year, two years? i don't think so. i think if there was a vote i - so. i think if there was a vote i would still vote yes but personally,

i feel that there are other matters that are really important for us to focus on at the moment, even despite being an independence supporter, i think we need to get the economy back on track and make a really good recovery from the pandemic. let’s recovery from the pandemic. let's hear from ollie _ recovery from the pandemic. let's hear from ollie in _ recovery from the pandemic. let's hear from 0llie in aberdeen, which hearfrom 0llie in aberdeen, which we are you leaning? i hear from ollie in aberdeen, which we are you leaning?— hear from ollie in aberdeen, which we are you leaning? i have been, up untilthis we are you leaning? i have been, up until this point. _ we are you leaning? i have been, up untilthis point, still— we are you leaning? i have been, up untilthis point, still undecided, - we are you leaning? i have been, up untilthis point, still undecided, i- untilthis point, still undecided, i was impressed at the last debate that i_ was impressed at the last debate that i watched by anas sarwar, and so i am _ that i watched by anas sarwar, and so i am leaning slightly towards tabour. — so i am leaning slightly towards labour, but i am still, as it is, undecided _ labour, but i am still, as it is, undecided. it's unlikely that i would — undecided. it's unlikely that i would vote for snp because i wouldn't _ would vote for snp because i wouldn't want, i am not a supporter of scottish— wouldn't want, i am not a supporter of scottish independence, i think the uk _ of scottish independence, i think the uk as— of scottish independence, i think the uk as a whole would be poorer without _ the uk as a whole would be poorer without scotland in it, and i don't buy into — without scotland in it, and i don't buy into the idea that scotland coutdn't — buy into the idea that scotland couldn't stand on its own but i certainly —

couldn't stand on its own but i certainly would prefer a country that had — certainly would prefer a country that had scotland in it. but the choice — that had scotland in it. but the choice is — that had scotland in it. but the choice is there, it's unlikely i would — choice is there, it's unlikely i would vote conservative either, so the choice — would vote conservative either, so the choice for beers between s sorry. — the choice for beers between s sorry, labourand the choice for beers between s sorry, labour and the greens. the choice for beers between s sorry, labourand the greens. —— .egui..._ sorry, labourand the greens. —— regular choice for me is between s sorry. _ regular choice for me is between s sorry, labourand regular choice for me is between s sorry, labour and the greens will stop— sorry, labour and the greens will stop so— sorry, labour and the greens will stop so you _ sorry, labour and the greens will stop so you may vote for greens even though— stop so you may vote for greens even though there pro—independence? it's a _ though there pro—independence? it's a case — though there pro—independence? it's a case of the vote for the greens— it's a case of the vote for the greens would be evoked purely on the basis of— greens would be evoked purely on the basis of the _ greens would be evoked purely on the basis of the other values they hold, with regards to the environment. because — with regards to the environment. because they are not strong enough, they are _ because they are not strong enough, they are unlikely to be strong enough — they are unlikely to be strong enough to be in power, i suppose i wouldn't _ enough to be in power, i suppose i wouldn't be — enough to be in power, i suppose i wouldn't be voting for them in the hope _ wouldn't be voting for them in the hope that— wouldn't be voting for them in the hope that they would be in power, but that _ hope that they would be in power, but that is— hope that they would be in power, but that is an important point that you raise. — but that is an important point that you raise, and i think that also sort _ you raise, and i think that also sort of— you raise, and i think that also sort of pushes me more towards

tabour— sort of pushes me more towards labour in— sort of pushes me more towards labour in that sense. but if i was to grade — labour in that sense. but if i was to grade the parties i am likely to vote for. — to grade the parties i am likely to vote for. it — to grade the parties i am likely to vote for, it will probably be labour or the _ vote for, it will probably be labour or the greens. vote for, it will probably be labour orthe greens. i vote for, it will probably be labour or the greens. i can't see myself voting _ or the greens. i can't see myself voting for— or the greens. i can't see myself voting for snp or the tories. gk, voting for snp or the tories. ok, briefl , voting for snp or the tories. ok, briefly, louise, _ voting for snp or the tories. ok, briefly, louise, and _ voting for snp or the tories. ok, briefly, louise, and turn back voting for snp or the tories. ok briefly, louise, and turn back to you, is there anything that any of the other party leaders could say tonight in the debate that might change your mind as regards costing a vote for the snp?— a vote for the snp? probably not on my constituency _ a vote for the snp? probably not on my constituency vote, _ a vote for the snp? probably not on my constituency vote, but _ a vote for the snp? probably not on my constituency vote, but i - a vote for the snp? probably not on my constituency vote, but i would i my constituency vote, but i would definitely consider voting green for similar reasons as 0llie has had on my list vote. i think it's great that they support independence, but i do think there other great stuff in their manifesto. and as a supporting party, they could be a really sensible voice in the room at a lot of conversations, so i am

swaying about giving my i convert to them, and i definitely would be keen on still hearing some more from them. —— giving my second vote. 0k. them. -- giving my second vote. ok. thank ou them. -- giving my second vote. ok. thank you so — them. -- giving my second vote. ok. thank you so much _ them. —— giving my second vote. 0k. thank you so much for that. thank you both very much indeed. joining me is author and broadcaster and indepencence campaigner lesley riddoch, and andy maciver — former head of communications for the scottish conservatives, now political commentator. great to see you both, thanks for joining us. is the drive for second independence referendum, is that dependent solely on the snp getting their own majority? this dependent solely on the snp getting their own majority?— their own ma'ority? this democratic exercise, their own majority? this democratic exercise. with _ their own majority? this democratic exercise, with any _ their own majority? this democratic exercise, with any kind _ their own majority? this democratic exercise, with any kind of—

their own majority? this democratic exercise, with any kind of shape - their own majority? this democratic exercise, with any kind of shape to | exercise, with any kind of shape to what response might be, over the years, it might not have been watched with such an equaliser on monday, but i will tell you, we had been watching here come in various sectors of state have come and gone, various prime ministers have had different formally for what would constitute a mandate, but in anybody�*s and understanding of it, and the way westminster works is that the largest party has a mandate. we were taken out of the european union on, i think a 41% of the popular vote. so if it is good enough for westminster, the popular vote. so if it is good enoughforwestminster, i the popular vote. so if it is good enough for westminster, i think people would feel that if the snp get that 65 seats, which means they have an overall majority, in a proportional parliament, so it is much more difficult to get, that means something. i much more difficult to get, that means something.— much more difficult to get, that means something. i mean, andy mckeever. _ means something. i mean, andy mckeever, the _ means something. i mean, andy mckeever, the suggestion - means something. i mean, andy i mckeever, the suggestion certainly is from talking to professor sir john curtice that the pro—independence parties will get the majority force of —— —— andy

mciver. with that be enough to push for a second independence referendum? ibis for a second independence referendum?— for a second independence referendum? : , , , �*, for a second independence referendum? a , �*, ., referendum? as leslie says, it's a proportional— referendum? as leslie says, it's a proportional parliament _ referendum? as leslie says, it's a proportional parliament so - referendum? as leslie says, it's a proportional parliament so you - referendum? as leslie says, it's a i proportional parliament so you don't expect— proportional parliament so you don't expect to _ proportional parliament so you don't expect to have a majority from one party. _ expect to have a majority from one party. it _ expect to have a majority from one party. it set— expect to have a majority from one party, it set up asjohn curtice says. — party, it set up asjohn curtice says. it — party, it set up asjohn curtice says. it set _ party, it set up asjohn curtice says, it set up to avoid that eventuality. i think that something which _ eventuality. i think that something which politicians in westminster can have a _ which politicians in westminster can have a bit— which politicians in westminster can have a bit of trouble with because they see — have a bit of trouble with because they see a — have a bit of trouble with because they see a majority has been the real government, and they see a minority— real government, and they see a minority has been a problem because they took— minority has been a problem because they took at— minority has been a problem because they look at it through the lens of first past— they look at it through the lens of first past the post, but in reality, in the _ first past the post, but in reality, in the scottish parliament terms, a majority— in the scottish parliament terms, a majority is — in the scottish parliament terms, a majority is not supposed to happen and really — majority is not supposed to happen and really should be taken as the will of— and really should be taken as the will of the — and really should be taken as the will of the people, because that's the way— will of the people, because that's the way the system setup. so i think psychologically, it's different from a westminster perspective, with the snp get _ a westminster perspective, with the snp get a _ a westminster perspective, with the snp get a majority or not come in terms _ snp get a majority or not come in terms of— snp get a majority or not come in terms of what they say about a referendum, but in reality, we shouldn't— referendum, but in reality, we shouldn't expect to have to have a majority _ shouldn't expect to have to have a majority in — shouldn't expect to have to have a majority in order to execute what was in _ majority in order to execute what was in party 's manifesto. gk.

was in party 's manifesto. ok. lesley do _ was in party 's manifesto. ok. lesley do you _ was in party 's manifesto. ok. lesley do you believe - was in party 's manifesto. ok. lesley do you believe that was in party 's manifesto. ok lesley do you believe that frankly, the snp have perhaps used to the independence argument, which is what the opposition parties are suggesting, they've used it and it's a bit of distraction now from those issues that are really important to the people here, with its education, jobs, the economy, that perhaps independence debate has distracted from those things? i independence debate has distracted from those things?— from those things? i think scotland is e . uall from those things? i think scotland is equally divided, _ from those things? i think scotland is equally divided, not _ from those things? i think scotland is equally divided, notjust - from those things? i think scotland is equally divided, notjust on - from those things? i think scotland is equally divided, notjust on the l is equally divided, notjust on the issue of independence, but on an idea of how you can have a recovery. 37% of us do not want borisjohnson in the westminster government having control of the macroeconomic levers many we will have to jump to 13 foot photo —— 57% is up if we're going to have a new normal, green transition, if we are going to be doing stuff a progressive country wants to do, the

way scotland has been voting for probably 80 years, we need to have the levers of important things in our hands, so actually, for a half very point of independence is to have a recovery that shaped the way we wanted. —— for half of us, the point of independence. we wanted. -- for half of us, the point of independence.— we wanted. -- for half of us, the point of independence. those details in relation to — point of independence. those details in relation to independence - point of independence. those details in relation to independence from - point of independence. those details in relation to independence from the | in relation to independence from the border, currency, you know, whether or not there will be customs checks and so on, natwest bank, potentially, pulling out, it's that nitty—gritty detail, isn't it, that could be what trips up the movement towards a second independence referendum?— towards a second independence referendum? ~ : ,, ::' , referendum? much like in 2014, they will be the subjects _ referendum? much like in 2014, they will be the subjects that _ referendum? much like in 2014, they will be the subjects that the - will be the subjects that the referendum, if it comes, will be debated — referendum, if it comes, will be debated on. but you're quite right when _ debated on. but you're quite right when you — debated on. but you're quite right when you say that the independence

question— when you say that the independence question is— when you say that the independence question is obscuring the other big questions — question is obscuring the other big questions we need to ask in scotland. _ questions we need to ask in scotland. we have significant problems, for instance, with our education — problems, for instance, with our education system here, but because the opposition is so weak and because — the opposition is so weak and because the two main parties, the tories _ because the two main parties, the tories and — because the two main parties, the tories and snp, but want to talk about— tories and snp, but want to talk about the — tories and snp, but want to talk about the independence and not much else, about the independence and not much else. we _ about the independence and not much else, we get squeezed out of the bay. _ else, we get squeezed out of the bay. not — else, we get squeezed out of the bay, not with any debate on those things. _ bay, not with any debate on those things. and — bay, not with any debate on those things, and the government has a free pass — things, and the government has a free pass at this election because no one _ free pass at this election because no one is— free pass at this election because no one is trying to be first minister. _ no one is trying to be first minister. so there's no question scotland — minister. so there's no question scotland needs to get over the constitutional question as soon as they possibly can so we can normalise as a country and move on to normal— normalise as a country and move on to normal issues like other countries _ to normal issues like other countries discussed.- to normal issues like other countries discussed. �* :, countries discussed. ok, we'll leave it there. thank _ countries discussed. ok, we'll leave it there. thank you _ countries discussed. ok, we'll leave it there. thank you both _ countries discussed. ok, we'll leave it there. thank you both very - countries discussed. ok, we'll leave it there. thank you both very much l it there. thank you both very much indeed. a final word now from our political correspondent, nick eardley. the debate is going to start soon. is there anything that could trip nicola sturgeon up, not necessarily in terms of getting an outright majority because that's still up in the air, but from being the leading

party, the one with the most seats?