With Parliament heading into its two-month summer recess later this week, MSPs must surely be feeling a sense of relief that one of the most acrimonious, adversarial and bitter sessions in its history is finally drawing to a close. A session that has laid bare a dearth of originality, talent, and a fundamental disconnect from the wishes and aspirations of voters is not one I’ll miss.

The long list of those not seeking re-election next year will no doubt be looking forward to the break, while those desperate to secure their place next May will be pulled from pillar to post as their parties begin developing policy platforms ahead of the autumn gatherings of the party faithful. One would hope that part of those summer reflections includes some honest contemplation about the role each of them has played in diminishing public trust and confidence in what should be one of our most cherished institutions.

The autumn political conference season in the year before an election is always one to watch. It’s when near-final manifesto pledges — focus-grouped and thrashed out over the summer — are given a public airing to see how they fare against the prevailing mood. Crucially, it also gives parties time to finesse or abandon them altogether if the response is less than enthusiastic. By the time spring conference season rolls around, campaigning is in full swing and everything becomes about the pitch to voters.

This autumn’s season will arguably be one of the most significant in the post-devolution era. Current polling points to a much broader split in representation at Holyrood in 2026 than we’ve seen before, and there’s a growing sense that every vote is up for grabs. The public mood increasingly demands action over........

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