Coronavirus has upended every aspect of our lives and televised election debates are no different.
In normal times, candidates stand side-by-side and are heckled or applauded by a rowdy studio audience.
In last night’s debate, the first of the campaign, five party leaders were separated by social distancing and faced questions digitally. No one clapped.
It was an eerie, soulless experience that captured how society has changed.
A key theme was coronavirus and whether an SNP Government could focus on recovery if it also pushed ahead with a second referendum.
Some people in the digital audience seemed sceptical both could be pursued at the same time.
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, seeking re-election, tried to address those fears by insisting her top priority was getting the better of Covid-19.
At that point, she said, a choice on independence would be part of any recovery.
The main focus of the opposition parties was also on Sturgeon, who was quizzed on IndyRef2, the NHS and poverty.
This was inevitable – the SNP has a huge poll lead and the other parties on the stage want to chip away at it. Sturgeon had the most to lose last night.
In theory, Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross and Labour chief Anas Sarwar had the most to gain. Ross has barely been in the job six months, while Sarwar has only been in post weeks. Profile raising was a key aim for both men.
The reality is Ross struggled to get out of his comfort zone.
He was desperate to steer every question back to IndyRef2 and seemed small minded by insisting he would not work with the SNP.
Sarwar handled the occasion much better.
He landed a blow on Sturgeon by mentioning child poverty rates in her Glasgow constituency and criticised her Government’s record on cancer services.
However, he did so in a way that did not close the door on working with other political parties.
Sarwar looked open minded; Ross gave the opposite impression.
This could be a critical difference in the battle for second place. Sarwar also put Ross in his place: “Grow up,” he said at one point.
The smaller parties were also well-represented. Greens co-convener Lorna Slater was an impressive presence, while Lib Dem Wille Rennie – the longest-serving party leader – was his usual solid self.
The key issue is whether the tough questions faced by Sturgeon will have any impact on the election.
In the last 12 months, she has led the country through the toughest year in our lifetimes and faced down toxic accusations from Alex Salmond. She is battle-hardened.
Her most effective argument on a tough night was when she stressed the importance of “experienced” leadership.
The only question at the election is whether the SNP will win a majority. It is Sturgeon’s election to lose.
