Spotlight on Sturgeon – but how did she do?

Nicola Sturgeon made education her priority at the last election and invited Scots to judge her on her record.

In her final first minister’s questions session of this term she did it again.

“It’s not really up to me – we are about to go into an election campaign and it will be up to the Scottish people,” she said.

On May 6, that’s what many voters will do. But choices are rarely made on one issue alone. Promises were made for improvements in all areas of your daily life.

The pandemic blew a hole in everyone’s plans, not least the government’s. But there were four years to get work done off the back of a nine-year record since coming to power in 2007. Could anyone have done better in the pandemic or were expectations met?

In schools the SNP promised to narrow the attainment gap. Education Secretary John Swinney claimed victory but also came under fire for an exams fiasco and controversial school testing proposals.

New treatment centres and record funding were pledged for the NHS. Opponents say more promises are being made before the first ones are delivered. And the SNP were forced to defend a major scandal with a delayed new children’s hospital and construction problems.

There were infrastructure improvements including promises to keep investing in lifeline ferries – two of which are still being worked on in the yard on the Clyde.

Social security powers were taken on by the SNP Government. While new benefits were created and some topped up, the full timetable slipped as the scale of the job became clear.

Thirty six pledges were highlighted in the SNP’s 2016 manifesto.

Here, we take a look at some of the talking points in key policy areas, and give all the main political parties their say.

EXPOSED: The SNP has had a bumpy ride with internal fights and scrutiny over the pandemic.