Scottish election: Political leaders ramp up campaigns five months ahead of Holyrood elections

Political leaders in Scotland are ramping up their campaigns ahead of the upcoming Holyrood elections.

Thousands of voters will go to the polls on May 7 to decide who will lead the Scottish Parliament for the next five years.

With just five months to go, leaders of Scotland’s political parties are expected to make speeches on Monday to appeal to the electorate.

First Minister John Swinney will kick off the SNP’s 2026 Scottish Parliament election campaign, and outline the opportunity for a fresh start with independence.

He said the alternative to that was to “stay with the stagnation of Westminster” and with UK standards of living that have been “flat as a pancake” for the past 15 years.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has said May’s Holyrood election is a decisive moment for Scotland.

“We are embarking upon one of the most consequential years in Scotland’s history,” he is expected to say.

“A year in which we have the opportunity to change the government in Scotland for the first time in almost 20 years – and let me be clear from the outset, that is exactly what I intend to do.”

Sarwar will say that Scotland’s choice is about the future of public services and the opportunities available to young people and families, arguing the SNP has “had their chance” after nearly two decades in office.

“Our economy can be better than this,” he will say.

“Our public services can be better than this. Our politics can be better than this – Scotland can be better than this.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay will also deliver a keynote speech in Edinburgh on Monday.

Addressing party members and the media in Edinburgh, the Scottish Conservative leader is expected to say cost of living pressures will be the defining issue of the Holyrood election.

“Voters face a simple choice in a few months’ time. Either five more years of the SNP and other left-wing parties hitting them with more tax rises, or our positive plan to bring down bills by focusing on growing the economy,” Findlay said.

The speeches also come ahead of the forthcoming SNP Budget, which will see the Scottish Government set out its tax and spending plans on January 13.

Ministers have already warned there will be difficult choices ahead.