 | | | Sam Shedden | | Engagement Editor |
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Good morning, Polls are now open. Today is the day. This won't be an election like we're used to. We won't see results trickle in through the night like we are accustomed to. Tomorrow afternoon is when we should start seeing constituencies declare and list results are likely to come Saturday. We'll be here through it all, offering you comprehensive analysis and breaking news as Scots decide who fills the 129 seats at Holyrood. If you need a quick refresh on how the system works and why the parties want your second vote so badly, Gina Davidson explains it all here. Our stance Election day is the most important time in the life-cycle of a democracy. The Scotsman is not going to attempt to tell people who to vote for or even offer a suggestion. In today's leader column we urge voters of all persuasions to beware 'populist' liars who would corrupt our democracy and "remind any politicians who would be queens or kings just who is in charge." Our reporters are scattered across the country, pen and notepads in hand, phone cameras poised, to ensure we're bring you ever detail as it happens over the next few days. Our homepage is a good place to start to find out the latest news but I would also recommend checking in on our live blog through the day. To get you ready for all the election results, news and analysis in the days ahead, we're offering a 25 per cent discount on the price of an annual digital subscription. Use the code SCOTELEC21 at checkout to take advantage of this fantastic deal. Get unlimited access to quality Scottish journalism for a whole year for only 18p a day. Subscribe today. Final campaign messages Our opinion section today is packed with comment from all the major parties as their representatives makes a last gasp attempt to secure your vote. Labour, Lib Dems, Conservatives, and Alba all feature, while Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said 'never has so much been at stake' in her final bid to win votes. Snow in May? That's right. Not only have we seen snowfall in Scotland today there are currently snow warnings in place for parts of the nation. You can't beat a Scottish spring eh? Royal Navy deployed to Channel mid fears of French blockade The above sounds like a headline from the 1700's but today two Royal Navy vessels are patrolling waters around Jersey amid concerns of a possible blockade of the island due to an ongoing row with France over post-Brexit fishing rights. Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to Chief Minister of Jersey, Senator John Le Fondre, and the Minister of External Affairs, Ian Gorst, on Wednesday, and “underlined his unwavering support” for the island. Thanks for reading, more headlines are below. Sam Shedden, sam.shedden@jpimedia.co.uk | 
