The Scotsman and Scotland 2050 to host Holyrood election hustings

First Minister John Swinney hopes his party can triumph once more following an astonishing two decades in power.

But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar still believes his message of change can cut through with disillusioned voters.

Meanwhile, Reform UK is on course for a headline-grabbing breakthrough that could lob a grenade into Scottish politics.

The polls might set the narrative, but election campaigns can be unpredictable. There is all to play for.

Now Scots will be able to grill representatives from all of the major political parties at a special hustings in Edinburgh at the end of this month.

The event, hosted by Scotland 2050 in association with The Scotsman, will allow attendees to ask the questions they want answered, on the topics that matter to them - with a focus on long-term solutions.

From the economy to the NHS to the future of Scottish education, what issues do you think should define this election?

Tickets for the event at the Assembly Rooms on March 31 are free, but space is limited, so reserve your spot now via Eventbrite.

Barrie Cunning, the founder of Scotland 2050, which hosted a special one-day conference last year attended by Mr Swinney and Mr Sarwar, said the hustings will allow everyone to be “part of the conversation about Scotland's future”.

He added: “The Scotland 2050 hustings is a real opportunity to not only hear from the political parties, but also to ask them directly how they plan to deliver the positive long-term direction that Scotland needs.

“Politics by its very nature tends to focus on the short-term which is understandable, but at Scotland 2050 we believe that what Scotland needs is a long-term plan that goes beyond the parliamentary cycle, that looks to address the structural issues affecting Scotland today for a better tomorrow.

“To achieve this, we need to secure buy-in and support across the political divide and take a real pragmatic approach underpinned by realpolitik to policy formation and delivery.

“I believe if we can have a more consensus-working model at Holyrood, we will see the emergence of better policy-making, better governance and ultimately a better outcome for the people of Scotland. And let's be honest, who wouldn't want to see that happen?”

Polls currently show the SNP on course to win the election in May.

A YouGov survey for the Scottish Election Study (SES) group, released last week, put Labour in third place in the constituency vote and fourth in the list vote.

It said the SNP’s vote appears to be holding stable despite just 23 per cent of respondents saying the party is doing a “good job” in government.

Meanwhile, Reform is in “pole position” to become the main opposition in the Scottish Parliament.

Over the weekend, Mr Sarwar, who recently called on Sir Keir Starmer to quit as Prime Minister, said he still believes his party can win, even if it means people voting for them “with anger”.