The 15 Scottish seats that could decide the general election

For at least a generation — something we define loosely up here — Scottish hacks have been trying to interest London newsdesks in Scotland’s role in general elections. Then, in 2015, we had the good fortune of Scotland deciding to up and turn into a one-party state overnight. Then, in 2017, we revised our arrangements to a one-and-a-bit-party state when Ruth Davidson’s Conservatives liberated 12 seats from Nationalist control.

Scotland may end up being the main story of this election too, if, as Eeyore types like me have been warning, the Tories do not romp home on December 12. In those circumstances, the Tories’ performance in Scotland could be the difference between a majority and a minority government, the latter of which would struggle to remain long in office.

There is an added complication in that Scottish Tories are trying to shift the conversation in this election away from Brexit and onto Scexit, Nicola Sturgeon’s proposal that Scotland leave the UK.