Scotland: the agreements and differences in the party platforms
The Herald reports: The manifestos published, the battle lines are clear at last. Now to push the range of campaign pledges through direct mail and phone banks, the media and advertising on an unprecedented scale.
One striking aspect of the major party manifestos is their similarity, clustered around key themes. They want improvements in health and education, with a similar range of promises of reduced waiting times, local clinical provision and smaller school classes, but with slightly different means of getting there. There is a row yet to erupt about student finance. ...
Lacking the major taxation, economic and welfare powers retained at Westminster, the areas of dispute at this election are focussed around a narrow range of issues, and that means they can get blown out of proportion. Four years ago, Labour and the Liberal Democrats disagreed most on whether parents could be jailed for failing to control their children. This time, the disputed issues remain small, but the significance is bigger.
Independence has featured in Labour's campaign for months, and LibDem and Tory readiness to embrace more devolved powers has left Labour isolated.
The other big issue confirmed over the past week is the future of council tax. Labour argues for modest tinkering, Tories for a pensioner discount, while their opponents argue for a change to income-based tax. All of them face problems with their plans, as the current tax is unpopular but reform could be impractical and would mean some losing out and complaining loudly. That is certain to remain a theme for remaining weeks. -- The Herald : Politics: MAIN POLITICS