3

Contenders to become First Minister. Annabel Goldie has ruled herself out, Nicol Stephen has not. But the big battle features Jack McConnell, who has held the post for five-and-a-half years, and is Scotland's third First Minister. His rival is Alex Salmond, who has represented Banff and Buchan for 20 years, and first became leader 17 years ago, when Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister.

53,091

This year's salary, in pounds, for Scotland's 129 MSPs, 73 of them representing constituencies and 56 elected from regional lists. There are extra payments for junior ministers and deputy presiding officers, pushing salaries to £78,080. Cabinet ministers and the Presiding Officer earn £92,988, while the First Minister earns £129,998.

1222

Council seats up for grabs in 32 councils, but no longer the number of wards. With three or four councillors in each ward, some Highland councillors will represent an area stretching from east to west coasts.

49.43

The percentage turnout at the last Holyrood election, having fallen from 58% at the first elections in 1999. There has been decline in turnout until a slight upturn at the 2005 Westminster election, with people more likely to bother voting when the contest is close in a two-horse race, the stakes are high and when they think the Parliament matters.

29.8bn

The size, in pounds, of the expected Scottish Executive budget this year. Roughly a third goes to the health service and a third into councils, with much of the latter funding schools.

1

The single pound it costs to take a car north across the 43-year old Forth Road Bridge, subject to manifesto promises to abolish or reduce tolls. This contrasts with at least £1 bn and perhaps more than £3bn that will be required in the next few years to build a replacement crossing.

212,000

The threshold in pounds at which council tax is paid at the top level, band H, which has been used since council tax replaced the poll tax, using 1991 prices. There are fears that if valuations were updated, many owners would find the increase in their home value, relative to other house prices, would send their council tax bills soaring. Council taxation is one of this election's hottest issues.

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