In just a few weeks’ time, voters will go to the polls to cast their ballot in the 2026 Scottish parliament election.After almost two decades in power, the SNP remain the party to beat.
Ahead of the election on 7 May, we took to the streets of Clackmannanshire to ask voters what key challenges they want the next Scottish government to prioritise.The local authority area – known as the Wee County – often reflects the opinion of Scotland as a whole.Indeed, the late former first minister Alex Salmond once told Jattvibe that he began to write his concession speech during the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 after Clacks was the first to declare, and it was a resounding “no”.
Here are some of the top issues voters want to see tackled.Alleviating the cost of living crisisThe UK barely emerged from the COVID pandemic before it plunged into a cost-of-living crisis.Years on, the situation is yet to improve for households across the country.
All those we spoke to highlighted their financial woes – from having to spend more on food and general bills, to watching their energy costs soar.
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Jackie Conroy and Karen McInroy
Jackie Conroy and Karen McInroy, who work at Coalsnaughton Post Office and Premier store, said they had noticed a change since the pandemic.Ms McInroy said: “Everything is getting dearer and dearer and dearer.”Even when your wages go up, they’re not going up enough to cover everything else. Something needs to be done about that.”Many spoke of their concern over the negative effects of the Ukraine-Russia and US/Israel-Iran conflicts.Ms McInroy said the recent warring in the Middle East had cost her extra at the petrol pump, with further fears a potential fuel shortage could affect her ability to travel to work.
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Liz and Grant Gillespie
Married couple Liz and Grant Gillespie also agreed there has been a “build-up” since COVID, with careful consideration now given in regard to eating out for dinner, cinema trips and the like.Mr Gillespie added: “Everything is getting tighter and tighter. Some people can’t afford these things anymore.”Turning the NHS aroundScotland’s NHS continues to struggle with A&E delays and long waiting times for routine operations.The rollout of GP walk-in clinics has begun, with 16 planned centres across the country as part of an investment in primary care.Campaigner Linda McLeod knows all too well how important the health service is.She suffers from emphysema – an irreversible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – and would like to see additional funds funnelled into tackling debilitating lung conditions.
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Linda McLeod
Mrs McLeod said: “I think lung conditions are massively under-represented and under-invested.”Lung disease kills tens of thousands of people every year.”Whoever forms the next Scottish government needs to invest in and focus on early diagnosis, treatment, care and self-management.”Mrs McLeod chairs support group Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire – a registered charity affiliated to Asthma + Lung UK – and would like to see a tobacco-free Scotland.She said: “I’m concerned about the usage of vapes and the significant risk to lung health.”I struggle every day with my emphysema but hope to once again be a part of the next government’s cross-party group on lung health.”I do believe that everything that can be done, should be done to protect the lung health of future generations.”Other voters said they would like to see more money invested into retaining and attracting health workers, with some also calling for additional cash to boost mental health support.And while immigration is a reserved matter for Westminster, a number of those we spoke to said it was an important issue for the Holyrood election and should not be ignored.One woman, who did not wish to be named given the contentious debate, said: “People with legitimate concerns are being called racist and brushed aside.”I think people who come into this country and haven’t contributed to it shouldn’t be getting free National Health Service.”Tackling Scotland’s drug deaths ‘shame’Drug misuse continues to blight Scotland’s neighbourhoods.Official data released last year showed there were 1,017 drug-related deaths in 2024, down 155 (13%) from 2023.National Records of Scotland (NRS) said while it was the lowest annual number since 2017, the nation remains the drug death capital of Europe.
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Peter Fisher
Voter Peter Fisher said: “It’s Scotland’s shame, it’s embarrassing. It’s a national emergency.”But the shame isn’t on the addicts – anyone could become an addict. It’s the government that needs to do more to help people.”Mr Fisher would like to see increased investment in treatment centres and additional support for those who need it most.Last month, separate statistics published by the Scottish government reported that suspected drug-related deaths had risen by 8% from 1,065 in 2024 to 1,146 in 2025.The highest number of deaths – 243 – were recorded in Police Scotland’s Greater Glasgow division.When the official stats are released later this year, all eyes will be on that Glasgow number given the city is now home to the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility (SDCF).
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The Thistle is based at Hunter Street Health Centre. Pic: PA
The Thistle opened in January 2025 and allows users to be able to consume drugs, including injecting heroin, under supervision in a clean and hygienic environment.Up to March 2026, the service has been accessed 15,158 times by 671 people (525 men and 146 women).A total of 10,498 injections have taken place at the facility, with staff able to treat 137 medical emergencies.The pilot service is being backed by up to £2.3m of Holyrood funding a year in a bid to offset wider public costs, but it is not to be seen as a “silver bullet” to tackle the crisis.
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The injection bay area at The Thistle. Pic: PA
Meanwhile, a consultation is ongoing in Edinburgh amid plans to open a SDCF in the Scottish capital.While work will continue to widen access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone, a new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan (2026-2035) will aim to prevent harm and promote recovery over the next decade.Douglas Ross’ Right to Recovery (Scotland) Bill – which would have enshrined in law the right to treatment for people with drug addiction – was voted down at Holyrood last year.It came after the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee raised a number of concerns – including the cost of the proposal; its potential to put further pressure on over-stretched resources; and fears of a rise in litigation if health services were unable to meet the legal rights on time.Mr Fisher said: “I think the consumption room will work. And if it does, they should open more.”But if it doesn’t, then they’ll need to come up with another plan as that [situation] can’t continue.”
Stop treating taxpayers’ cash like ‘Monopoly money’Voters appear to have had enough of politicians and public bodies treating taxpayers’ cash like “Monopoly money”.Some of those we spoke to voiced their condemnation of ministerial cars being misused, with Alex McEwan adding that government agencies should “rein in their spending”.The Water Industry Commission for Scotland (WICS), which regulates Scottish Water, was one such body that was previously quizzed over its purchases – which included spending £77,350 to send a senior executive to Harvard University in the US and a further £2,600 to provide every staff member with a £100 gift card for Christmas.Ms McEwan said: “It actually infuriates me when I see MSPs, who get paid like £75,000 a year, charge taxpayers for things like toilet rolls or meals.”They treat it like Monopoly money. I pay my taxes to support public services, not buy an MSP a lunchtime juice when they’re on double my wage.”
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Michael Matheson. Pic: PA
But for many, the biggest scandal of the last parliamentary term was Michael Matheson’s £11,000 iPad data roaming bill.The outgoing Falkirk West MSP, who is not standing in the upcoming election, initially billed taxpayers but later U-turned after questions were raised over the eye-watering sum.Mr Matheson had claimed the device had only been used for parliamentary work during a family holiday to Morocco, but it later emerged his teenage sons had been using it as a hotspot to stream football while on the trip.Mr Matheson stepped down as health secretary and was later suspended from the Scottish parliament and docked wages for breaching the MSP code of conduct.Voter Ryan Martin said: “If they step out of line, they shouldn’t be protected by their party. They should be out on their ear.”I don’t ever want to see a situation like the Michael Matheson one ever again.”
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Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies travelled across the country to find out what matters most to voters
Read more:Party ‘hotshots’ hoping to become an MSP for the first time
Other ongoing issues that will roll into the next parliament:• Scottish independenceThe campaign for Scottish independence has not stopped following the result of the 2014 referendum.Although indyref was touted as a “once in a generation opportunity to follow a different path”, dissatisfaction with the outcome has led to campaigners continually calling for a second vote.
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Scottish independence supporters during an All Under One Banner march in Glasgow in 2019. Pic: PA
The country has changed over the past 12 years, having gone through Brexit and the COVID pandemic, which has reshaped the constitutional debate.However, those who voted against independence and would continue to do so are frustrated the historic result is not being respected.The argument has gone all the way to the UK Supreme Court, which ruled in 2022 that the Scottish government cannot legislate for indyref2 without Westminster approval.
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Scottish independence supporters during a Believe in Scotland rally in March. Pic: PA
If a majority of pro-independence MSPs are returned in May but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refuses a request for another referendum, the new administration will need to reveal how it intends to overcome the block.If the alternative happens and the new Scottish government instead wishes to remain part of the UK, then it will have to demonstrate the benefits of staying in the Union and win over sceptics before Holyrood 2031.• Overcrowding in prisonsScotland consistently has one of the highest prison population rates in Western Europe.Overcrowding in the estate is not a unique problem in the nation, as jails across the UK are facing similar issues.In a bid to tackle the continuous record-high numbers, more than 1,000 inmates have been released early from their sentences since 2024.The automatic release point for short-term prisoners has also been reduced from 40% to 30% of their sentence.HMP Highland, which is replacing HMP Inverness, is scheduled for completion this year. While the £1bn HMP Glasgow, replacing the notorious HMP Barlinnie, is not expected to open until 2028.As these are replacement jails with less than 500 additional spaces between them, there are concerns the overcrowding crisis will continue.
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An artist’s impression of HMP Glasgow. Pic: SPS/Holmes Miller
As the judiciary acts independently, the Scottish government cannot control or dictate the specific sentences imposed by courts.The continual emergency early release of prisoners could risk eroding trust in the criminal justice system – but the call for building more jails is seen as unsustainable, ineffective and expensive.The independent Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission has recommended earlier intervention through greater use of alternatives to court, reducing the use of ineffective short prison sentences, and expanding high-quality, flexible community sentences to address the causes of offending.Without significant reform, the crisis risks continuing for many years to come.• The ferries fiascoThe ferries fiasco has become one of Scotland’s biggest political scandals – and looks set to continue to the end of the decade.Back in 2017, then first minister Nicola Sturgeon “launched” MV Glen Sannox with painted on windows.
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The MV Glen Sannox in 2017 – with its painted on windows. Pic: PA
The vessel eventually entered service last year, with sister ship MV Glen Rosa not due to be handed over until the end of 2026.The total cost of both CalMac ferries – built by Ferguson Marine – has soared to around four times more than the initial £97.5m contract.And then to top it all off, the two vessels are too large to berth safely at Ardrossan Harbour to serve the mainland-Isle of Arran route.
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The MV Glen Sannox in 2024. Pic: PA
The Scottish government has spent £16m to bring the harbour into public ownership – but the work needed to allow both ferries to dock will not start until 2027 and is expected to take two years to complete.The Glen Sannox, which has been repeatedly sidelined due to issues since its first sailing, now uses Troon – around 15 miles away – as its mainland base.CalMac recently suffered ferry shortages on its west coast island network, caused by a mix of planned maintenance and unexpected technical issues.In an update on Tuesday, the ferry operator said the situation had worsened with almost a third of its entire fleet unavailable.
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Scotland’s ferries crisis ‘worse than ever’
MV Isle of Islay, one of four new CalMac ferries built in Turkey, has entered service to provide a mainland link to the people and businesses of Islay and Jura.Meanwhile, the publicly-owned Ferguson Marine – the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde – has been awarded contracts for four new vessels as part of efforts to help it succeed.Given that the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa disruption is scheduled to continue until 2029, do not expect the political pressure to ease up at Holyrood until both ferries are floating comfortably at Ardrossan Harbour and CalMac has a full working fleet fit for the future.• The management of transgender prisonersThe Scottish government is currently in the midst of legal action over its policy on the management of transgender prisoners.For Women Scotland (FWS) is challenging the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) guidance, arguing that only those born biologically female should be held in the women’s estate.
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Campaigners from For Women Scotland outside the Scottish parliament last year. Pic: PA
It follows the campaign group’s landmark win at the UK Supreme Court last year, which ruled the definition of a “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refers to “a biological woman and biological sex”.That long-running battle with the Scottish government has cost taxpayers more than £766,000.Both parties are now awaiting Lady Ross’ ruling on the latest judicial review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.Current guidance allows for a transgender woman to be admitted into the female estate if the inmate does not meet the violence against women and girls criteria, and there is no basis “to suppose” they could pose an “unacceptable risk of harm” to those also housed there.FWS is arguing the policy is “inconsistent” with the Supreme Court judgment.During three days of hearings earlier this year, lawyers acting on behalf of the Scottish government argued it is right for ministers to take a “case-by-case” approach to transgender prisoners.Gerry Moynihan KC cited case law and article eight of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in relation to the rights of trans people to live in their acquired gender.
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Double rapist Isla Bryson. Pic: PA
Whatever the outcome, the next Holyrood administration will be keen to avoid another Isla Bryson moment.The transgender criminal – who raped two women while known as Adam Graham – was initially housed in a women-only prison before being swiftly moved to the male estate following a public outcry in 2023.The controversial case continues to rumble on to this day.
