The SNP will have been in power in Scotland for 19 years by the time we go to the polls in May 2026 making this potentially one of the most important elections since devolution in 1999. But with increasing voter apathy and a growing disillusionment in politicians to keep their promises, can the parties energise the electorate enough with their arguments for creating a better Scotland to make sure they get out and vote?
Join Holyrood magazine and an exclusive gathering of politicians, pollsters, public affairs bods, political journalists, and key business leaders, for a night of punditry, psephology and pints, as we put the politicians and special guests on the spot and ask the questions about what’s ahead for the 2026 Scottish Parliament election:
6pm – Doors open, drinks and canapes served
6:40pm – Guests asked to take their seats
6:50pm – The ‘pundits panel’: Mandy Rhodes is joined by Sir John Curtice (political scientist), Prof James Mitchell (professor of public policy), and Mark Diffley (researcher and pollster) to set the scene.
7:20pm – Short break for top ups
7:25pm – The ‘political panel’ + Q&A: Mandy Rhodes is joined by an all-women panel of deputy political leaders – Kate Forbes MSP, Jackie Baillie MSP, Rachael Hamilton MSP, and Wendy Chamberlain MP
8.30pm – ‘Bar room philosophers’: Break and head to the bar for networking and more informal discussions
10pm – end of evening
Photos from the last year’s Connections event can be viewed on our flickr.
This is a private event and attendees will be asked to show their ticket or invitation.
