December 27th, 2010

ELECTION YEAR 

The New Year tends to bring out plenty of enthusiasm amongst us.

Whether it be resolving to give up chocolate, plans to go to the gym more often or a commitment to getting a new job, the turn of the year always marks an opportunity to make some positive changes in our lives.

For others, it’s a chance to draw a line under any negative experiences from last year and look forward to 2011.

Who knows what this year will hold – will it be the year that Andy Murray wins Wimbledon or X Factor’s Matt Cardle becomes a big star?

Admittedly, the Scottish Parliamentary elections are unlikely to feature highly on people’s list of things to look forward to in 2011.

For some, it might seem as if we have only just one election out of the way and already we are facing up to another daily diet of leaflets, baby-kissing and election pledges.

Yet the general election last year whetted people’s appetite for politics in a way we haven’t seen for years.

In these tough economic times, people understood that their decision at the ballot box really matters, that the political parties weren’t all the same and they had to make a choice about who best represented their priorities and values.

And people know that in May, Scotland will hold its most important election since devolution.

So whether it be the Royal wedding, the rugby World Cup or the last Harry Potter film you are looking forward to this year, it may just be that the election day is the most significant event of 2011.