Thanks to our sponsors for helping make the 2026 conference such a success. Stay tuned for early confirmation of the 2027 date!
2026 Programme
Start | Contributors | |
Registration Tea/coffee and breakfast catering | From 0830 | |
Welcome and introduction | 0920 | Convener – Laura Hamilton Principal host – Peter MacMahon |
0930 | In Conversation Malcolm Offord, Reform UK Leader in Scotland | |
Tea/coffee break & networking | 1015 | 15 minute break |
1030 | “Government by numbers” – a discussion on the theory and practice of coalition and confidence arrangements. Cathy Jamieson, Geoff Aberdein, Michael Moore | |
| Breakout 1 | 1130 | Workshop – “Building a public affairs plan for the next Parliament” Chair – Peter Duncan Keith Robson, Open University Scotland Clare Slipper, Message Matters |
| Breakout 2 | 1130 | Workshop – “Digital influence in Public Affairs” Chair – Peter MacMahon Tomos Day, GovConnex |
| Networking lunch | 1215 | All MSPs invited |
1330 | Scotland’s fiscal outlook and Spring Statement Review Professor Graeme Roy Sarah Thiam, CEO of Prosper | |
| #SP26 | 1415 | Polling session – What’s the likely outcome of #SP26, and why? Mark Diffley, Diffley Partnership |
| Tea/coffee break | 1500 | 20 minute break |
| ‘View from the press gallery’ | 1520 | Reflections on the campaign trail Kathryn Samson, Dan Sanderson, Shona Craven and Carla Jenkins |
Networking drinks until 6pm | 1600-1730 | |
Event close | 1730 |
