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The rivals

The Scottish Parliament has created new challenges for opposition parties.

The SNP under the leadership of Alex Salmond and more recently John Swinney has struggled hard in the Parliament to prove they are ready to govern.

When and how independence for Scotland will be sought has caused splits in the party.

Dorothy Grace Elder left the party in May of last year to become an independent MSP.

The Conservatives may have opposed devolution but that certainly hasn't stopped them making the most of it.

Scots Tory leader David McLetchie's leadership has been applauded by many but the chances of his party holding onto all of their 18 seats look slim.

A break away by disaffected former MSPs to the new Scottish People's Alliance hasn't helped matters.

Mr McLetchie described the move as a 'betrayal'.

The Scottish Parliament's electoral system has meant that two parties who have no representation in Westminster have been given a voice.

The Scottish Socialist Party and the Green Party may just have one member each but they've managed to make an impact as 'significant others'.

Minor parties have made their mark in the Scottish Parliament

The irrepressible Tommy Sheridan has proved to be a vocal presence in the chamber.

Robin Harper, Britain's first Green parliamentarian, even managed to get a proposal for an alternative form of tax passed by the chamber.

Dennis Canavan and Margo Macdonald both sat in the Parliament as Independents.

Looking ahead

Supporters of the Scottish Parliament will be hoping that the vote-tellers don't get an early night on May 1.

The more votes there are to count, the greater the endorsement of the Parliament.

Back in 1999, 58% of the public came out to the polls: this time around there is some concern that less than half of those eligible to vote will exercise their right.

The First Minister has warned that a low turn out will damage the credibility of the Parliament.

This potential haemorraging of voters has been put down to a number of factors.

Some, including Jack McConnell, say the war in Iraq will divert attention from the poll.

For others there's disillusionment with the Scottish Parliament. One of the factors that has certainly stirred negative feelings towards the chamber is the new Parliament building.

The Holyrood project, or 'Follyrood' as the Tories have called it in the run up to the election, has been beset by delays and soaring costs.

At some point in the new term we can expect the new Scottish Parliament building to be ready - the most recent prediction is 2004.

A leaked document highlighted plans to continue the Lib/Lab coalition although Labour are holding out hopes that they will win enough votes to go it alone.

If it does continue the Lib Dem demand for Proportional Representation for Local Elections will have to be met.

When the Parliament reconvenes following the election the chamber could well contain a few more independent members.

Pensioners, fishermen and health campaigners are all putting candidates forward.

Many old faces look likely to return on May 7 but some major figures of the first term have ruled themselves out.

Winnie Ewing, one of Britain's most experienced politicians, is standing down.

But the Ewing dynasty looks set to continue with her son and daughter-in-law standing for seats in the Parliament.

It's also goodbye to Sir David Steel, the chamber's first Presiding Officer.

He is retiring from frontline politics after 38 years.

They are sure to keep a close eye on their replacements and the ups and downs of four more years of the Scottish Parliament.