TAKING place less than three weeks before the Westminster election, last night’s Scottish leaders debate was dominated by issues devolved to Holyrood, with the First Minister forced to defend her record on education and the health service.

Broadcast live on BBC One Scotland, the first half saw the six leaders mostly talking about the constitution, with Brexit and independence featuring heavily.

“A vote for the SNP will strengthen Scotland’s hand against an extreme Brexit, and a vote for the SNP will protect Scotland’s right to make our own decisions,” Sturgeon said in her opening speech.

Ruth Davidson started confident but became increasingly rattled as the other leaders, including Ukip’s David Coburn, pointed out the inconsistency of her positions on Brexit and immigration.

Sturgeon was prepared when the Tory leader shifted the debate to independence.

“When Ruth Davidson talks about independence in this campaign she’s using it as a smokescreen,” Sturgeon said. “She says I talk about nothing else. The truth is she talks so much about independence I cannae get a word in edgeways to talk about it.”

If the SNP leader won the first half, it was a difficult second section for her. A maths teacher asked her who should take the blame for “recent failings of numeracy” in Scottish schools.

“You have had 10 years, you’ve been in charge for 10 years” Labour’s Kezia Dugdale said.

“Which is why I’m proud of…” Sturgeon began.

Dugdale replied: “Proud of £1.5 billion worth of cuts, 4000 fewer teachers and thousand fewer support staff and widening gap between the richest and the poorest kids? That‘s your record.”

“The gap between the richest and the poorest is not widening. The gap is narrowing,” Sturgeon replied.

A nurse then took her to task over wages, and the lack of a pay rise since 2008.

Reserved or not, the accusation the SNP are letting down NHS staff will be one Sturgeon will be keen to rebut in the next three weeks.