Editor’s view
It’s no exaggeration to say that the current Scottish Parliament election campaign has yet to catch fire.
The candidates are undoubtedly giving it their best shot but the interest and enthusiasm generated during the Independence Referendum in 2014 and last year’s Westminister General Election has yet to be replicated.
It could well be the state of the opinion polls putting the SNP in a commanding position has left people feeling that the election is decided and they need not engage – or even vote .
Maybe it’s ballot box fatigue. I have heard people saying that after polls in each of the last two years, they cannot be bothered with this one – and they know who is going to win anyway.
For those who are sure of the outcome, all I would say is Foinavon and Leicester City. Foinavon was Irish racehorse with the undistinguished record who defied odds of 100-01 to win the 1967 Grand National. Leicester City, the 5000-1 outsiders for the English Premier League title, were confirmed as champions on Monday.
It remains to be seen whether the SNP will fall at one of the final fences, as many Foinavon’s opponents did, or falter during the run-in as Leicester’s rivals have. However, the message has to be – go out an vote.
Voting is something we take for granted but is not a given and in many countries across the world, people are battling for this basic democratic right.
Here at the Observer, our paper will come out as normal next Friday but we will be publishing a special edition on the following day with full coverage of the election’s outcome.
John Rowbotham, Editor