Though we await the documents in full, a combination of leaked pledges and choreographed announcements gives us some insights into their contents.
John Swinney has previously pledged that independence will feature front-and-centre of the SNP’s manifesto. This would carry over a promise made by former first minister Humza Yousaf, but chafes slightly against Swinney’s strategy thus far.
In a pitch for the left, Labour is expected to commit to formally recognising a Palestinian state. The party’s pledges were signed off at its ritual ‘clause V’ meeting on Friday, but failed to garner the support of Unite Union, amid reservations over its ‘New Deal for Workers’.
Rishi Sunak is hoping for a (third?) campaign reboot following last week’s D-Day dereliction of duty debacle. The prime minister is trailing a proposed “moral mission”to keep people in work and apparently save £12bn annually, which he hopes will distract from Thursday’s gaffe. However, the PM’s MPs remain despondent, with some expecting Reform to overtake them in the polls this week.
In brief - Scotland's economy and business
- The vice-chancellor of Queen Margaret University has called for a review of universal free tuition. Speaking to The Scotsman, Sir Paul Grice, who is also vice-convener of Universities Scotland, highlighted financial challenges faced by the sector and stressed the need for a “compromise” funding model.
- John Swinney pledged to work in partnership with an incoming Labour government over the weekend, adding that he would “positively welcome” a change in leadership at Westminster.
- The SNP came under fire this weekend over claims it had exaggerated the cost of Labour’s plans for North Sea oil. The party had previously stated that Keir Starmer’s policy of increasing levies on energy companies could spark significant job cuts, but campaigners have questioned its figures.
- Taylor Swift leaves a blank space at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield stadium, having completed a weekend-long residence at the venue, which is thought to be worth £77m for the city’s economy.
OpinioNation - columns of interest
- Wise Group chief executive Sean Duffy argues for reform of Scotland’s justice system (£) in The Scotsman.
- Over at The Herald, Euan McColm reviews Stephen Flynn’s performance (£) in last week’s BBC debate and takes a look at his leadership prospects.
- For an autopsy of Sunak’s D-Day departure, and Labour’s diplomatic operation, see Tim Shipman’s latest column (£) in The Times.
- Continuing on the historical line, Dominic Sandbrook takes us on a tour through history’s most colourful election campaigns (£), also in The Times.
- We’ve got you covered for podcasts too. With three weeks of campaigning left to go, we recommend Politics at Jack and Sam’s for a readout of the day ahead. For an economic angle, tune into Ed Balls’ and George Osborne’s Political Currency.
- Finally, for a break from wall-to-wall election coverage, we recommend a good whodunnitin the BBC’s new series: Thief at the British Museum (also, bizarrely, featuring Osborne).
Shifting the dial - recent research
The latest election polling by Deltapoll has Labour 25 points ahead. Meanwhile, John Burn-Murdoch charts the Tory decline (£) in the Financial Times.
The week ahead - fill your diary with key events
Monday
- Rishi Sunak to be interviewed on Panorama
- Liberal Democrats manifesto launch
- Nigel Farage to host a Reform party press conference
Tuesday
- Conservative manifesto launch
- Nigel Farage to be interviewed on Panorama
-
In the Holyrood committee rooms:
- The Finance and Public Administration committee will consider the Aggregate Tax and Devolved Taxes Administration (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2
- The Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee will take evidence on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1
- June labour market figures released
- Nominees to be announced in the Iranian presidential election, following the death of late president Ebraham Raisi in a helicopter crash
Wednesday
- John Swinney to be interviewed on Panorama
- Sunak and Starmer to face audience questions on Sky News
- Sunak’s interview (yes, that one) with Paul Brand due to air on ITV
-
In the Holyrood chamber:
- MSPs will address portfolio questions to the deputy first minister, Kate Forbes, and the cabinet secretary for finance and local government, Shona Robison
- Members business motion on resolving Scotland’s depopulation crisis
- In the Holyrood committee rooms:
- The Rural Affairs and Islands Committee will take evidence on and pursue lines of inquiry relating to salmon farming in Scotland
- UK’s April GDP figures released by Office for National Statistics
Thursday
- Labour manifesto launch
- ITV to host a seven-way leaders’ debate
-
In the Holyrood chamber:
- First minister’s questions
- MSPs will address portfolio questions to the cabinet secretary for net zero and energy, Màiri McAllan
- Scottish Government debate; Scottish Government priorities - investing in public services
- G7 leaders meet in Bari, Italy. The event will be hosted by Italian prime minister, Giorgia Meloni
Friday
- King’s birthday honours list announced
Saturday
- G7 summit concludes
- Summit on peace in Ukraine held at lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Sunday
- Father’s Day celebrated