2021 Scottish Parliament election
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| 2021 Scottish Parliament election | |
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| Election name | 2021 Scottish Parliament election |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2016 Scottish Parliament election |
| Previous year | 2016 |
| Next election | 2026 Scottish Parliament election |
| Next year | 2026 |
| Seats for election | All 129 seats to the Scottish Parliament |
| Majority seats | 65 |
| Election date | 6 May 2021 |
| Turnout | 63.5% |
2021 Scottish Parliament election was held on 6 May 2021 to elect all 129 members to the Scottish Parliament. It was the sixth election since the devolved parliament was reconvened in 1999 under the Scotland Act 1998. The election took place amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and was a pivotal contest in the debate over Scottish independence.
Background
The election followed the 2016 election, which resulted in a Scottish National Party (SNP) minority government led by Nicola Sturgeon. Key issues leading into the campaign included the constitutional question, Scotland's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its future relationship with the rest of the United Kingdom following Brexit. The Scotland Act 2016 had further devolved powers to Holyrood, and the Scottish Government had published a draft bill for a second independence referendum. The Scottish Conservatives, led by Douglas Ross, positioned themselves as the main unionist opposition, while Scottish Labour, under Anas Sarwar, and the Scottish Greens also campaigned on domestic policy and climate change.
Campaign
The official campaign period was shaped by public health restrictions, leading to a greater emphasis on digital campaigning and televised debates. The SNP manifesto centered on holding a post-pandemic independence referendum and a focus on NHS recovery. The Scottish Conservatives campaigned strongly on a "No to Another Referendum" platform, aligning with the position of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Scottish Labour focused on a national recovery plan, seeking to move beyond constitutional debates. The Scottish Greens advocated for a Green New Deal and pro-independence cooperation. Key events included leaders' debates on STV and BBC Scotland, and the Alba Party, launched by former First Minister Alex Salmond, contested list seats to promote a pro-independence "supermajority" strategy.
Results
The election resulted in a historic victory for the pro-independence parties. The SNP won 64 seats, falling just one seat short of an overall majority, but securing a record number of constituency victories. The Scottish Conservatives won 31 seats, remaining the largest opposition party. Scottish Labour returned 22 MSPs, while the Scottish Greens achieved their best result ever with 8 seats. The Scottish Liberal Democrats won 4 seats. The Alba Party failed to win any representation. Notably, the SNP won all but two constituencies in the Central Scotland region, and the Scottish Greens gained from the list vote in several regions including Lothian. Voter turnout was 63.5%, conducted under special pandemic arrangements overseen by the Electoral Commission.
Aftermath
Following the election, Nicola Sturgeon was formally re-elected as First Minister of Scotland by the Scottish Parliament, with support from the Scottish Greens. The result provided a parliamentary majority for pro-independence parties, with the SNP and Scottish Greens together holding 72 seats. Sturgeon stated her government's priority was leading Scotland's recovery from COVID-19, but also pledged to publish a draft referendum bill. The UK government, led by Boris Johnson, reiterated its opposition to a second vote. In August 2021, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens announced a formal cooperation agreement, marking the first such pact in the history of the devolved administration.
Analysis
Political analysts viewed the election as a significant consolidation of support for the SNP and a strengthening of the pro-independence bloc. The results were interpreted as an endorsement of Nicola Sturgeon's leadership during the pandemic, though the failure to secure an outright majority tempered immediate calls for a referendum. The performance of the Scottish Conservatives was seen as successfully mobilizing unionist voters, while Scottish Labour continued to struggle to regain its former electoral foothold. The success of the Scottish Greens highlighted growing voter concern for environmental issues. The election set the stage for continued constitutional tension between the Scottish Government in Edinburgh and the UK Government in Westminster, influencing subsequent political strategy and debates on the future of the United Kingdom.