A brief guide to Scotland’s 25 political parties

Voters in Scotland have a lively choice of parties in today’s elections to the Holyrood parliament. In all, there are 25 vying for either or both of each elector’s two votes (proportional representation, innit). As a public service and to mitigate confusion, Mr Steerpike offers this explanatory note on the Scottish political landscape.

First, there’s the SNP, which is asking electors for both their votes to create a mandate for a second independence referendum. Voters who don’t support a second independence referendum and don’t want to give the SNP a mandate for one should still give the party both their votes. Because… reasons.

Then there’s the Scottish Conservatives, who are opposed to a second independence referendum and if they suspect you’re not, they’ll come round and tell your nan. The party’s other policies include not supporting a second independence referendum, calling a second independence referendum names and saying ‘second independence referendum’ while looking jolly cross.