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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Torcuil Crichton

Channel 4 leaders' debate: How we scored the five candidates to be First Minister

Scotland's political leaders went head-to-head in a live TV debate last night and it was another fiery debate.

Nicola Sturgeon (SNP), Anas Sarwar (Scottish Labour), Douglas Ross (Scottish Conservatives), Willie Rennie (Lib Dems) and Patrick Harvie (Greens) tackled some of the main issues during the 45-minute programme.

It was the third television debate of the Scottish Parliament election campaign and the first UK-wide one.

Scottish independence, Scotland's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, child poverty and climate change were all talked about during the Channel 4 show.

Nicola Sturgeon is looking to maintain her huge lead in the polls while Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Tory leader Douglas Ross are fighting it out for second place.

So, how did the Record Politics team score the leaders in the debate?

Douglas Ross

Floundered with one-note stop independence message and he was then left defending.

The reminders of his previous stance on same-sex marriage where he said he would have voted against the Bill in 2014 if he was an MSP evoked the "nasty party" memories.

Yet another average performance from the Tory leader in Scotland.

Score - 3

Willie Rennie

Scottish Liberal Democrat Leader Willie Rennie found it hard to be heard in the debate (PA)

The exasperated Scottish Lib Dems leader found it difficult to get a hearing throughout the debate on Channel 4.

Willie Rennie's party may have policies but they just haven't been on the pitch during this Scottish Parliament election campaign.

Score - 4

Nicola Sturgeon

The SNP leader took a swipe at Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross but tried not to engage in the dogfight with him.

With the election already pretty much in the bag for the First Minister it was another assured performance during a lively Channel 4 debate.

Score - 8

Anas Sarwar

The Scottish Labour leader was cornered when asked about his party's stance on a second independence referendum in Scotland.

Anas Sarwar managed to land a blow on Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross when he labelled them the 'same old Tories'.

Score - 7

Patrick Harvie

Nicola Sturgeon's reliable wingman brought down Douglas Ross during the last STV leaders' debate when he asked him about his comments on gypsy travellers, however last night he turned on Anas Sarwar.

Patrick Harvie probed the Scottish Labour leader about his view on another independence referendum which made him uncomfortable.

Another sound performance from Harvie.

Score - 6

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