60 Second Briefing: April 16

LABOUR
Jack McConnell went on the attack against the SNP and LibDem local income tax plans, saying the rich would pay nothing, but the Labour leader could not say the current council tax was "fair". A new opinion poll put the party narrowly ahead in the race for Holyrood. On Saturday, Mr McConnell championed amateur sports development during a visit to Kilwinning and promised a cabinet-level sports minister.

CONSERVATIVES
Annabel Goldie argued it is time to revolutionise local government, giving councils more power and autonomy but also handing powers and more money to community councils to set priorities.

LIBDEMS
Nicol Stephen and UK leader Sir Menzies Campbell were in Kilimanjaro Cafe in Edinburgh, sipping Fair Trade coffee and talking global poverty. The Deputy First Minister said he wanted to cut rail journey times. He called for a scheme to mark alcohol bottles, so police could trace shops supplying under-age drinkers.

SNP
In a leaders' debate on TV, Alex Salmond came under attack on planned efficiency savings and council tax reform. Education spokeswoman Fiona Hyslop made a "web-speech", saying learning was the most powerful weapon for change. On Saturday, deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon set out a plan to make the first £15,000 of an artist's income tax-exempt, while putting £2m into Scots performing in the Edinburgh festivals.

OTHERS
Greens claimed public support for their policy, with 72% saying there should be binding annual carbon emission targets. Socialist leader Colin Fox took part in a global poverty hustings in Edinburgh, saying the entire executive budget should be spent on fair trade. The Royal College of Nursing urged more health spending.