Here, as polling day approaches, the panel members place on record their verdict of the campaign and also state how they will use their votes.

Michael Marley: Perth "Labour and Conservative have nothing to offer to change my view" David Hamilton: Glasgow "Of all the leaders, Alex Salmond is the one who has impressed the most" Stephen Edenborough: Paisley "The Tories continue to struggle to make themselves heard" Bob Crozier: Larbert "Poor Charlie Kennedy has been ignored after his gaffe on council tax" Michelle Hunt: Sorn, East Ayrshire "Having watched Alex Salmond, I am more firmly committed to the SNP"

Olivia Drennan: Glasgow "Our prime minister has lied to the British people and to parliament over Iraq" Duncan King: Edinburgh "Tactical voting is a waste of time with this bunch of clowns" Keith Brockie: Falkirk "Until independence, I want, and Scotland needs, SNP MPs at Westminster" George Whillans: Langholm "If Tony Blair went there would be nothing left for the other parties to criticise" Jim Monaghan: Glasgow "What will the SNP talk about when there is no more oil in the north sea?"

We also want to hear what you think, so send us your comments using the form after each person's views.

The readers' panel has been selected from as wide a cross-section of people as possible and may not be representative of wider public opinion.