As the 2026 Scottish Parliament election looms on 7 May, the stakes have never been higher. After nearly two decades of dominance, the SNP remains Scotland’s party to beat, but voters across the nation demand urgent action on pressing issues. In the heart of Clackmannanshire—known affectionately as the Wee County and often a barometer for national sentiment—we asked residents which challenges the next Scottish government must tackle first.
Alleviating the Cost of Living Crisis
The UK barely had time to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic before plunging into a relentless cost-of-living crisis. Families across Scotland continue to struggle as soaring prices on essentials like food, energy, and fuel squeeze household budgets tighter than ever.
Jackie Conroy and Karen McInroy, employees at the Coalsnaughton Post Office and Premier store, witnessed these hardships firsthand. “Everything keeps getting dearer,” McInroy explained. “Even when wages rise, they don’t keep pace with living costs. Something has to change.”
Heightened geopolitical tensions—from the Russia-Ukraine conflict to unrest in the Middle East—have also driven up petrol prices, stoking fears of fuel shortages that could disrupt daily commutes and livelihoods. Liz and Grant Gillespie, a local couple, echoed these concerns, noting their cautious approach to dining out and entertainment. “It’s all tightening up. Some people just can’t afford the little luxuries anymore,” Grant said.
Revitalizing Scotland’s NHS
Scotland’s NHS remains under severe strain, grappling with overcrowded A&E departments and lengthening waits for routine treatments. The government’s rollout of 16 GP walk-in clinics aims to ease pressure, but public demand for deeper reforms is clear.
Linda McLeod, a campaigner battling emphysema, called for a stronger focus on lung health. “Lung disease claims tens of thousands of lives annually yet gets little funding,” she emphasized. McLeod chairs Breathe Easy Clackmannanshire, a charity affiliated with Asthma + Lung UK, and advocates for a tobacco-free Scotland amid rising concerns over vaping risks.
She urged the next government to prioritize early diagnosis, treatment, and support for chronic lung conditions. Other voters highlighted the urgent need to boost mental health services and invest in retaining and attracting healthcare workers. Immigration, although governed by Westminster, surfaced as a hot-button topic, with some calling for stricter NHS entitlements linked to contribution.
Addressing Scotland’s Drug Death Crisis
Scotland continues to grapple with a devastating drug misuse epidemic. Official figures reveal 1,017 drug-related deaths in 2024—a 13% decrease from the previous year but still the highest rate in Europe.
Peter Fisher described the crisis as a “national emergency” and “Scotland’s shame,” emphasizing the government’s responsibility to increase investment in treatment and support services.
The Glasgow-based Thistle safer drug consumption facility, which opened in January 2025, offers supervised drug use to reduce harm. Since opening, it has recorded over 15,000 visits and managed 137 medical emergencies. Despite this, Holyrood stresses the facility is not a “silver bullet” solution.
Plans to establish a similar site in Edinburgh are underway, backed by a new Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan (2026-2035) focused on prevention and recovery. Meanwhile, a proposed Right to Recovery Bill, which would have guaranteed legal rights to addiction treatment, was rejected last year amid concerns over costs and resource pressures.
Fisher supports expanding consumption rooms if proven effective but insists alternative strategies will be necessary if the crisis persists.
Demanding Accountability on Public Spending
Voters express deep frustration over what they perceive as reckless government spending. From extravagant training expenses to lavish gifts for public officials, many feel taxpayer money is treated like “Monopoly money.”
Alex McEwan criticized MSPs for claiming minor expenses, saying, “I pay my taxes to support essential services, not to fund lunches or trivial items for politicians earning multiples of my wage.”
One glaring scandal remains the £11,000 iPad data roaming bill racked up by former Health Secretary Michael Matheson during a family holiday—a sum initially charged to taxpayers before he repaid it amid public outcry. Matheson later resigned and faced suspension for breaching parliamentary conduct rules.
Voter Ryan Martin demanded stricter consequences for misconduct: “If politicians step out of line, their party shouldn’t shield them—they should be removed.”
Enduring Issues Shaping Holyrood’s Future
Scottish Independence Debate
The fight for Scottish independence remains a defining issue. Though the 2014 referendum ended decisively, calls for a second vote persist, fueled by Brexit and the pandemic reshaping public attitudes. The UK Supreme Court ruled in 2022 that Holyrood cannot unilaterally hold an independence referendum without Westminster’s consent.
If pro-independence MSPs secure a majority but Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer refuses permission for a new referendum, the government must reveal alternative strategies. Conversely, if the next administration favors remaining in the UK, it must build stronger arguments to persuade sceptics before 2031.
Prison Overcrowding Crisis
Scotland suffers from one of Western Europe’s highest incarceration rates, with overcrowding worsening year after year. Emergency early releases of over 1,000 inmates since 2024 and reduced automatic release thresholds attempt to relieve pressure.
New facilities like HMP Highland (replacing HMP Inverness) and the £1 billion HMP Glasgow (set to replace HMP Barlinnie in 2028) will add capacity, but only modestly. Critics warn overcrowding will persist without major reforms.
The judiciary operates independently, limiting government control over sentencing, while calls grow for alternatives to prison through community sentences and earlier interventions to tackle root causes of offending.
The Ferry Fiasco
The CalMac ferry debacle has become a long-running political headache. The MV Glen Sannox was initially launched in 2017 with painted-on windows and only entered service last year. Its sister ship, MV Glen Rosa, won’t arrive until late 2026. Costs have ballooned to nearly four times the original £97.5 million contract.
Worse, both vessels are too large to safely dock at Ardrossan Harbour on the mainland-Isle of Arran route, forcing the government to purchase the harbour and delay necessary upgrades until 2027. Meanwhile, ferry shortages continue to disrupt island communities.
Ferguson Marine, the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde, recently secured contracts for four new vessels as efforts continue to stabilize Scotland’s vital maritime infrastructure. With the ferry crisis expected to drag into 2029, political pressure on Holyrood remains intense.
Managing Transgender Prisoners
The Scottish government faces ongoing legal challenges over its policy for incarcerating transgender prisoners. Campaign group For Women Scotland contests current guidelines that allow transgender women to be housed in women’s prisons unless they pose an unacceptable risk.
The dispute follows a landmark UK Supreme Court ruling defining “woman” and “sex” in biological terms. The case has already cost taxpayers over £766,000, with a ruling pending at Edinburgh’s Court of Session.
Government lawyers argue a case-by-case approach respects human rights and balances safety. The controversy intensified after the high-profile Isla Bryson case, where a transgender prisoner convicted of rape was initially placed in a women-only facility before swiftly moving to a male prison amid public outrage.
Whatever the verdict, the next Holyrood government will confront this sensitive issue with heightened scrutiny to prevent further incidents.
