Tonight STV is holding a Live Debate that includes the four main political party leaders in Scotland.
With the SNP gaining a lot of support, there are many reasons why this is important for those below the border. With Labour and the Tories head to head in the Polls, votes cast in Scotland could determine the disposition of the next parliament.
The possibility of a Labour – SNP coalition government is likely to be a key focus. Nicola Sturgeon – who impressed UK audiences last week in the Leaders’ debate – recently renewed her challenge to Labour to join with the SNP to keep David Cameron out of Downing Street. She claims that Labour is not big enough to get a majority government without SNP help. Here’s a chance to get clued up on who’s who among the Scottish leaders – they could end up affecting how the entire country is run.
SNP Leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
A Law Graduate from the University of Glasgow, Nicola Sturgeon represents Glasgow Southside as its MP. She is the first woman to become both the Scottish National Party Leader and the First Scottish Minister. She took over this role after the resignation of Alex Salmond after the failure of the Yes Scotland Campaign, which would have seen the country become independent. Joining the main party leaders last week in the 7-way debate, Ms Sturgeon not only managed to say her point on offering an alternative to austerity, she also left having managed to impress the UK audience, with polls suggesting she was the politician to have given the best performance.
Scottish Labour Leader Jim Murphy
While studying Politics and European law at Strathclyde University, Jim Murphy began his career into politics. Now current MP for East Rentfrewshire and Scottish Labour Party Leader, he gained this position in December 2014. His main policies include a ban on zero hour contracts, raising minimum wages, increasing tax for higher earners, as well as a bankers bonus tax and a mansion tax, falling closely beside major Labour party policies.
Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson
English Literature graduate and former BBC Journalist, Ruth Davidson has been a part of politics for quite a while now, elected Scottish Conservative Leader in 2011. Her main policies include full life sentences for serious criminals, an initial two-year gap before paying business rates for small businesses, higher hours in nursery for pre-school children, as well as supporting gay marriage.
Scottish Lib Dem Leader Willie Rennie
A Biology graduate, Willie Rennie became the Scottish Lib Dem leader in 2011. His main policies include and 800 million a year extra funding to the Scottish NHS, raising the personal tax allowance to 12,500, transferring power from London to Scotland with home rule in the UK, and a guarantee for education funding from nursery to college.
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