Leader views: Andrew Palmer

MEET THE PANEL Name: Andrew Palmer Age: 24 Lives: Western Isles Job: IT worker for local company Current voting intention: Scottish Labour Party

As a Labour voter I feel Jack McConnell has been a pretty good, competent First Minister and that's the image he has, but a politician's image doesn't carry as much weight with me as their substance.

A figurehead of a leader is one thing, but I think personalities can go too far.

The brash, headline-grabbing antics (inside and outside of politics) of Alex Salmond or Tommy Sheridan puts me off voting for them or their party almost completely.

A little flair is a boost to any candidate, but I prefer campaigns that focus on issues, manifestos and achievements rather than scoring political points off your opposition.

Alex Salmond and Jack McConnell have both visited the islands recently, both were your average political visit from what I gather, except for the former backing up our local MP (who's embroiled in the repercussions of an alleged sex scandal) by mentioning spying by powerful enemies - a rather over the top allegation I thought, as is his wont.

I haven't seen much of Nicol Stephen campaigning wise. His and Annabel Goldie's remarks have mostly been tacked on to the end of news coverage to give (possibly only the appearance of) balance.

Both have seemed fairly anonymous to me in the parliamentary arena, and, to be fair to the news organisations, the contest between Labour and the SNP is the main issue.

The Westminster leaders have been fairly invisible in their campaigning so far too.

I've only heard Menzies Campbell on the radio about opposition to independence and possible coalitions as well as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown sharing a stage with Jack McConnell for something or other.

One curiosity about one of the Liberal Democrat's leaflets was the prominence of Charles Kennedy, no sign of Menzies Campbell.

They probably think, and I agree, that Charles Kennedy has more currency in the area.