Party leaders engage in fiery final debate on STV

Party leaders vying to be Scotland’s next first minister engaged in a fiery final debate programme on STV on Tuesday.

The Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Greens, Scottish Labour, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and Reform UK had the chance to grill each other in front of the nation – just nine days before voters go to the polls.

The party leaders fielded questions on the biggest issues dominating the 2026 Holyrood election, including the NHS and the rising cost of living.

Each leader faced difficult questions from one another regarding a number of topics, including hospital controversies, the neglect of rural communities, and proposed tax reforms.

Opening remarks from party leaders

The special STV debate began with each leader given the opportunity to make their case on why they should get Scotland’s vote.

First Minister John Swinney stated that the SNP’s plans for the future “have the people of Scotland at their heart”, focusing on expanding childcare, introducing GP walk-in centres, lowering the cost of living, and supporting first-time buyers.

He also confirmed that overwhelming support for the party on May 7 would act as a referendum to put “Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands”.

In his own opening remarks, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives Russell Findlay, took aim at the SNP for “broken public services” and the impact of “sky-high taxes”

He urged the voting public to prove Swinney “wrong” next week.

Labour’s Anas Sarwar promised to fix the NHS and give Scotland’s children all “a chance to succeed”.

The party leader believes next week gives people the chance to reject the “poison” of the SNP.

If the Reform Party gained power at Holyrood, its leader, Malcom Offord, promised they would “build a new Scotland”.

Lord Offord stated that the election was an “exciting opportunity” following two decades of “failure and decline”.

Watch
In full: STV Leaders’ Debate

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton claimed “it feels like things aren’t working” in the country and promised to “deliver change with fairness at its heart”.

He focused on healthcare, education, and issues with Scotland’s roads and ferries in his opening statement.

Scottish Greens’, Ross Greer, demanded “better for Scotland” and promised to make the “super rich pay”.

The party wants to introduce a universal free bus travel in an effort to reduce the cost for Scots.

Spikey exchanges take place amid leaders’ cross-examination

Following two sections in which the party promised to “fix the NHS” and continue efforts to reduce the cost of living for those living in Scotland, the leaders were given the opportunity to question each other for the final time.

SNP leader Swinney kicked off the cross-examination by accusing Offord and Reform of “souring the campaign” with “homophobic and racist views”.

The Reform candidate said there is nothing “racist” to say people are “concerned and scared” in their communities.

Tory leader Findlay questioned the Lib Dem, Alex Cole-Hamilton, about his support for the SNP budgets. The under-fire leader responded that his party did so because they “could unpick the damage” and that politics is about acting as adults.

Findlay said he believed Cole-Hamilton is “far too weak” to stand up to the SNP.

Reform leader Offord questioned Greer on whether he wanted fewer “successful” people like him, who own five boats and six houses, in Scotland.

The Greens’ leader turned the question on Lord Offord and asked whether he would give up some of his houses for the homeless.

During the cross-examination of the Labour leader, Cole-Hamilton stated that rural and island communities have been neglected by the SNP. Sarwar promised that he would be a “first minister for all of Scotland”.

The Lib Dem leader raised concerns that Labour has not once mentioned the Scottish island’s infrastructure during the campaign. Sarwar reiterated his promise to review any proposed projects if given the top job.

Greer questioned Findlay’s proposed tax plans, which the Green leader says mirror Liz Truss’ plans during her tenure as Prime Minister.

The Tory leader stated that cuts would give Scots a “long-deserved break” amid rising costs in the country.

Finally, Anas Sarwar questioned Swinney on the controversies surrounding the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. Swinney said that a public enquiry is ongoing into the issues.

The Labour leader promised that if he is elected on May 7, there will be “no cover-up”. Swinney also states that he will provide the truth to those who lost loved ones being cared for in the Glasgow super hospital.