Holyrood 464 / 12 April 2021

Election countdown: Including features on the pro-indy parties and electing more MSPs of colour. Plus a look at dogs in lockdown: how unscrupulous sellers have exploited surging demand during the pandemic.

3 Editor’s note
Every opinion poll has the SNP winning this next election. The only question now is by how much

5 Roundup
Pictures and numbers from the past two weeks

6 Talking Point
As the number of children going online increases, so do the risks

9 Election Spotlight: ‘Gonzo nationalism’
Alex Salmond’s Alba Party has disrupted what was set to be a fairly predictable election campaign

12 Election 2021: The art of negotiation
How to navigate difficult discussions, according to a hostage negotiator

14 Election 2021: Breaking down barriers
Is systemic racism to blame for the lack of non-white MSPs?

16 Feature: Pursuit of justice
The past year has seen everyday rights become criminal offences

19 Q&A: Justice matters
We speak to the SNP, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats about policy ahead of the election

22 Political Interview: Bruce Adamson
Scotland’s children’s commissioner on how his own childhood shaped his future career

25 Feature: The pandemic pups
Demand for dogs has increased during lockdown and unscrupulous sellers have exploited the market

30 Getting to Know You
BBC political correspondent Nick Eardley talks Bromptons, Brazil and Bowie

32 Comment
Scotland can be a creative industries powerhouse but how do we get there?

33 Politicians’ pets
SNP councillor Ruairi Kelly introduces us to his rabbit, Rosie

34 Diary
Eleggtion time and awkward questions

35 Last Word
Sketch: Super-Eck is here to save the day but will he fight George Galloway?

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