The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Results that could prove to be vital
Calum Ross highlights some key battles to look out for today and tomorrow
ANGUS NORTH AND MEARNS
Conservative councillor Braden Davy is hoping to take the seat from SNP minister Mairi Gougeon, who had a 2,472-vote cushion last time. PERTHSHIRE SOUTH AND KINROSS-SHIRE The SNP have given sheep farmer Jim Fairlie the task of fending off the challenge of Tory front-bencher Liz Smith, a regional MSP in the last parliament. PERTHSHIRE NORTH Deputy First Minister John Swinney was 3,336 ahead of Tory MSP Murdo Fraser in 2016.
NORTH-EAST REGION All eyes will be on this result to find out if Alex Salmond has succeeded in his bid to return to frontline politics as an MSP for the newly created Alba Party.
The area contains the Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City, Angus and Dundee City constituencies, and elects seven additional MSPS. In 2016 there were four Tories, two Labour and one Lib Dem elected on the north-east list.
ABERDEENSHIRE WEST
A key target for the SNP, who represented it from 2011-16, when Dennis Robertson lost to Conservative candidate
Alexander Burnett by 900 votes. Fergus Mutch will hope to overturn Mr Burnett’s slender lead.
CAITHNESS, SUTHERLAND AND ROSS
The top target for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, who have been talking up Molly Nolan’s chances against Children’s Minister Maree Todd.
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS REGION
The area elected three Conservative list MSPS in 2016, as well as two Labour, one SNP and one Green.
This year it is complicated by the presence of not only the Alba Party, but also the high-profile former Green MSP Andy Wightman, who stands as an independent.
Tory leader Douglas Ross is also standing on the list here, but could lose frontbencher Jamie Halcro Johnston and even Donald Cameron, fourth and third on the list, respectively. MORAY
The Moray seat at Westminster has been the scene of a tussle between the SNP and Conservatives, with Angus Robertson ousted by Douglas Ross in 2017, and the Conservative leader hanging on by 513 votes in 2019.
The SNP has held the Holyrood constituency since devolution, and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead has to defend a 2,875-vote majority.
EDINBURGH CENTRAL
Mr Robertson is hoping to make a return to frontline politics in Edinburgh Central. In 2016, it was won by then Tory leader Ruth Davidson with a majority of just 610.
DUMBARTON
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, clung on to her seat by just 109 votes to survive the SNP challenge last time.
ABERDEEN SOUTH AND NORTH KINCARDINE
Previously held by the SNP’S Maureen Watt, her retirement might give hope to Conservative challenger and former regional MSP Liam Kerr, although he lost by 2,755 in 2016.
EASTWOOD
Former Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw is defending a 1,611-vote lead from the SNP.
GLASGOW SOUTHSIDE
Nicola Sturgeon will not be worrying about losing her seat. However, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will hope to make a dent in her 9,593-vote majority.