Why now is the time to engage with policy..

The next Scottish election is in 2026. Policy advisors are already pulling together policy narratives for manifestos. And there’s just one opportunity for each manifesto, where all the decision makers are in one place - that’s Party Conference.

But Party conferences can be intimidating:
Large venues. Larger egos. Blurry motion of coffee stalls, speeches, and selfies.

But here's the thing: they still count—because policy is personal. And manifestos don't write themselves.

I spent years working inside political conferences - briefing ministers, managing party engagement strategies, and shaping the way policy campaigns land with the people who write the next government’s plan.

So here’s what I can tell you from experience:

✔️ The best time to engage is before the first draft of a manifesto. That’s now—before party teams lock in positions.
✔️ The most effective campaigns are the ones that speak the language of solution, not just problem.
✔️ And the best relationships? They start in quiet conversations behind the main stage, not in panel debates.

If your organisation wants to influence what Scotland looks like after 2026, don’t wait until next spring. Build your strategy now.