In the last issue of 2009 Editor Mandy Rhodes has the first interview with new Education Secretary Michael Russell. We also have exclusive interviews with COSLA President Councillor Pat Watters on the future of the Concordat and Public Health Minister Shona Robison on minimum pricing, tobacco and reshaping care for the elderly.

Our regular columnist former First Minister Henry McLeish outlines why he is backing the SNP’s proposed minimum pricing policy for alcohol, while Professor John Curtice explains why a Conservative victory could prove awkward for First Minister Alex Salmond and former SNP MP Jim Sillars says Labour’s economic message is a mess. Education Correspondent Cera Murtagh takes an indepth look at delivering education and we end our series on childhood with a feature on how we protect our children.