AN area that was once a Labour heartland, Midlothian is seeing something of a weird phenomenon in the run-up to the local government election in that more than a few people spoken to in that most scientific of polls, The National’s vox pop on the streets of Penicuik and Dalkeith, said they were switching to the Tories.

The SNP and other parties have spotted the trend and are sure it is only minimal, but this sort of switching could be proof that, as in other local authority areas, national issues and leaderships are coming to the fore, most noticeably the Conservative tactic of making the election an anti-referendum campaign.

That could backfire, though, as SNP supporters feel that they will be able to turn out their vote on the day and point out that any switching away from Labour could harm that party’s chances.

Labour stalwarts such as Adam Montgomery in Penicuik, Derek Milligan in Bonnyrigg, Margot Russell in Dalkeith and Russell Imrie in Midlothian West should be safe due to their personal votes, but it is perhaps significant that Labour is putting up just 10 candidates – one fewer than last time – against the SNP’s dozen. With 10 seats needed for outright control, it looks likely that a coalition will be required, especially as independent former Conservative councillor Peter de Vink, who had supported the SNP minority administration until recently, is standing down.

Also standing down are SNP veterans Derek George Rosie in Penicuik and Bob Constable in Bonnyrigg, though council leader Cath Johnstone is standing again in Midlothian South.

The Greens are putting up a candidate in every ward, and will hope that Ian Baxter at least retains his seat in Bonnyrigg.

The Conservative Party’s campaign got off to a bad start when The National revealed that their youthful Midlothian South candidate Kieran Munro, far from being a Better Together activist in 2014 as was claimed in a party leaflet, had actually been a Yes campaigner. It is a particularly unpleasant contest in parts of Midlothian with allegations being made against at least one sitting councillor, who is not standing again, of interference in the election by using council computer time.

Other parties are also believed to be checking on what one Tory councillor is reported to have said about domestic violence at a recent hustings. That story might just emerge soon. The big issues locally are not hard to find – there is almost unanimous condemnation of the Ministry of Defence’s decision to close Glencorse Barracks, a major contributor to the local economy, though one party has been less than forthcoming in its remarks about the closure, namely the Conservatives.

Midlothian’s transport problems are well documented with certain roads being notorious bottlenecks while bus services, especially to outlying communities, are a subject of many complaints. Significantly, several of the parties have made transport a priority issue in their electioneering.

Another issue which recently reared its head was the Scottish Government’s decision – against its own Planning Reporter’s advice – to give approval for the Pentlands Film Studio in Midlothian North. Councillors and officials are sceptical about the plan, which will face serious questioning no matter who forms the new administration – it would effectively destroy the council’s long-held plans for development in that area including much-needed road realignment of the A701.

The developers will have to apply for formal planning permission which the council will either have to grant, given the Government’s decision, or possibly take to judicial review in the Court of Session.

There is local support for the jobs that will be created but there is also considerable local sympathy for the farming people who will be displaced by the studio, so it appears likely that this saga will continue to run into at least a fourth year.

The SNP have published a 4000-word manifesto for Midlothian, emphasising the success of the council house building programme – on its website, Midlothian Labour say the programme has stalled as they have only built 188.

The SNP also talk up the council’s approach to ensuring that local people are able to participate and influence decisions taken in their communities.

Labour say the SNP postponed making hard decisions until after the election.

The SNP group is prepared to stand on its record on education and the complex process of integrating health and social care. Labour say the cutting of 14 police officers is an issue they will deal with by reinstating the Community Action Teams.

Right at the start of the SNP manifesto it is made clear that if a coalition is needed, the SNP group will not work with the Tories to form it. There is no such pledge on the Labour website.