Party leaders, with the exception of the SNP’s John Swinney, took part in the BBC Question Time debate in Aberdeen. We gave them a mark out of five.
With two weeks to go until the Holyrood election, opinion polls show the SNP with a strong lead over their rivals.
Labour and Reform appear locked in a battle for second place, with Greens, the Lib Dems and the Tories fighting it out on the lower rungs.
Tonight’s BBC Question Time debate in Aberdeen featured five party leaders – Anas Sarwar, Gillian Mackay, Russell Findlay, Alex Cole-Hamilton and Malcolm Offord – but no John Swinney. SNP candidate Mairi McAllan took his place.
Around half of the programme focused on the plight of the North Sea oil and gas industry, and the six politicians traded blows on the cost of living crisis and independence.
Here is how they fared and the rating given to them by Daily Record Political Editor Paul Hutcheon.
Anas Sarwar
A quieter night for the Scottish Labour leader compared to the fireworks of the Channel 4 debate, where he was accused by Reform leader Malcolm Offord of plotting a secret deal.
The future of North Sea oil and and gas is a weakness for Labour and the dominance of the issue during the debate could have proved awkward for Sarwar.
But he put enough distance between himself and the UK Government to neutralise the issue and pivot onto nuclear power.
He also had the best line of the night – it was a shortlist of one – when he said he wanted Reform UK to get “absolutely pumped”.
3/5
Mairi McAllan
The polls show the Tories in line for huge losses on May 7th and Findlay was in desperate need of a strong showing in Aberdeen.
Findlay put in a typically no-nonsense performance which will appeal to some voters.
But the issue for Findlay is as it always has been: credibility.
When he spoke of ending waste and being careful with public money, McAllan reminded viewers he backed the disastrous Liz Truss.
It’s a torpedo that never misses.
2/5
Alex Cole-Hamilton
The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader delivered a performance that was entirely in keeping with previous efforts.
He sounded plausible without saying anything memorable and viewers likely switched off without having a view on him one way or another.
He was able to find the space during the debate to trot out his core messages on public service investment, and for that he will be grateful.
A gaffe free, highlight free night for ACH.
2/5
Gillian Mackay
The Scottish Greens co-leader did not have as much air time as her rivals and this was probably a blessing.
With so much time devoted to the oil and gas industry, a North East audience was unlikely to be receptive to a candidate hostile to more drilling.
When the time came, she played the usual Green tunes on wealth, fairness and a better society. A pedestrian showing.
2/5
Malcolm Offord
Reform UK’s leader enjoys talking about energy policy and was at ease with the debate’s focus on the oil and gas industry.
But Offord is poor on almost every other subject and comes across as a bar room bore who loves the sound of his own voice.
He even had the audacity to again peddle a fantasy tax cut that has been panned by experts.
Not his worst night, but that is not a high hurdle to clear.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login