Nothing new and nothing that will change any minds

Last night’s debate represented a highlights episode as the party leaders' answers failed to offer anything to change voters’ minds.

This was a night the opposition leaders needed something, anything, to finally land a blow on the seemingly untouchable First Minister.

Nicola Sturgeon has overseen a government that has failed on drugs, missed numerous targets on the NHS, and made huge errors in its handling of care homes.

These were all mentioned last night, in the previous debate, the one before that, and throughout the campaign. Despite this, Ms Sturgeon knows her party will be re-elected, with the only ‘what if’ being whether she enjoys a majority.

Seemingly bored of the foregone conclusion, her responses appeared angry, dismissive and often evasive.

The First Minister was at her most vulnerable on social care, insisting the pandemic showed the “strength” of the current system, but also its weaknesses.

Throughout, Ms Sturgeon repeatedly sought to shift the questions onto the role of the UK government, whether on international travel or even just the costing of the SNP manifesto.

The debate also marked yet another struggle for Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who focused far more on criticising Ms Sturgeon’s answers than offering his own positive vision.

Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie excelled on independence, offering a passionate, albeit vague argument on how it could revitalise Scotland in a debate where the First Minister seemed embarrassed to talk about it.

Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie maintained the role he has throughout the debates, looking around with bemused incredulity. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was strong on the Covid recovery, but tonight felt like a missed opportunity for him.

The overall tone of the debate was muted agreement, with the opposition leaders perhaps having lost their voice during what feels like an endless campaign.