Understanding Scotland's Government, Parliament and MSPs in 2025: how they work and how to influence them
Tuesday 25th February 2025
The Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, Ministers and MSPs control legislation, policy and spending decisions affecting the activities of all organisations and people in Scotland. Informed, good decision making is important in good times, but absolutely critical in bad times. These remain difficult times. War in Ukraine, a weak economy, a new UK Government facing tough public finances and the unpredictable and imminent consequences of a second Trump Presidency - these all require the best judgement. So, in the midst of wave after wave of uncertainty buffeting Scotland's public services, private sector and third sector, it is essential to understand how to effectively influence, inform and connect with the key decision makers as they respond to the challenges ahead.
This conference examines how Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, Ministers and MSPs work and explains the policy and media context within which decision making in those bodies takes place. It is intended for people and organisations that need to inform and support policy making and decision making in our institutions.
The ways in which policy is made, legislation is developed and spending decisions are taken is subject to both specific processes and to a range of external and internal influences. Understanding what those processes are and how both these institutions and the individuals within them work is essential. So too is knowing the importance of the media and the political context in which government operates. As is being aware of the regulatory and political rules and conventions within which influencing takes place.
The purpose of this conference is to provide you with a step-by-step guide to making your voice heard in the corridors of power. It will give insight into the relationship between Government, Parliament politicians and media and explain the various stages and ways in which policy is developed and how decision making can be influenced.
Whether your interest is in development of legislation, policy making, ongoing constitutional change or spending decisions, the how and why of government and parliamentary decision making - and context in which those decisions are made - is pivotal. The conference looks at the institutions that matter, the types of external influence that count and what you need know about the instruments and practices needed to to be heard at the highest level.
If you want to develop a better understanding of how government works in Scotland, and to be a weather maker on policy before it is made rather than reading what policy has become once decisions are taken, then knowing how the system really works - and how to influence it - is essential.
Benefits of attending
- Hear from experts on issues affecting influencing from developing contacts with MSPs and officials through to the Lobbying (Scotland) Act
- Understand the policy objectives of the Scottish Government and the influence of other parties
- Get informed on the undercurrents shaping political parties and movements and examine the interests and motivations of each parliamentary party
- Learn how the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government work - and how to influence them
- Find out the role of the media and social media in making and reporting the news - and influencing decision makers
- Discuss how to build an effective campaign and the instruments of influence and how to use them
- Consider the day to day work and perspective of MSPs and Ministers and how this affects your objectives
Who should attend
- Senior management including Chief Executives, Directors, Managers and Policy Officers
- Public affairs specialists including staff working in marketing, communications, engagement and public relations
- Advisory and representative groups including policy makers, lawyers, professional representative organisations and trade unions
- Campaigning groups including third sector organisations, lobbying groups, sectoral and industry groups, single issue campiagning organisations
- Private sector including companies, industry bodies and specialist advisors
- Public sector bodies including local government, quangos/NDPBs, health, further education and emergency services
Speakers
Stewart Argo
Chair
Chartered Institute of Public Relations Scotland
Agenda
Tuesday 25th February 2025
09:00 Chair's opening remarks
Session 1: Influencing – understanding Parliament, lobbying rules and the current political context
09:05 Keynote – understanding the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government
- How the Scottish Government and Parliament work
- The role of Ministers in policy and decision making
- Civil servants, special advisers and party staff – the importance of gate keepers
- MSPs: How they think, what they do, when they listen
09:20 Question and answer session
09:35 Complying with the Lobbying Register – good practice and new developments
- Understanding what the Lobbying Act is and requires
- Good practice in compliance
- Future developments
09:50 The Scottish and UK political context – what is the state of play and where are we headed?
- Insight on the current political position – UK and Scotland
- What are the core political drivers and why?
- Trying to predict what comes next
10:05 Question and answer session
10:20 Comfort break
Session 2: The decision makers and how they work
10:35 The Scottish Parliament – how it works
- How it works – where and when engagement is possible
- The role of MSPs and parliamentary committees
- Backbenchers, committee chairs and Ministers – how and why they matter
- Influencing policy, legislation and decision making
10:50 Understanding the political parties – what do you need to know?
- Political parties and movements – the old and the new
- Understanding what matters to the parties
- Who to watch and what you need to know
11:05 Inside Scottish Government
- What the inside of Scottish Government looks like
- How decisions are made and why it matters
- What do you need to know to be heard?
11:20 Question and answer session
11:35 Comfort break
Session 3: How to influence
11:50 Messaging, media and social media – how to use them
Stewart Argo, Chair, Chartered Institute of Public Relations Scotland
- Why media matters – its role in influencing
- Making and reporting the news
- Getting media attention – what matters and what doesn't?
12:05 Instruments of Influence – briefings, meetings, social media and beyond…
- Meeting and relationship building with MSPs, civil servants and other officials
- Briefing MSPs, parliamentary committees and giving evidence
- Getting your message across, recognising it's a marathon and not a sprint
12:20 Understanding what the public think and want
- What does the public really think about government, politics and Scotland today?
- The relationship between public opinion and public policy
- Experience versus perception in shaping opinion
12:35 Question and answer session
12:50 Chair's closing remarks
Speakers
Stewart Argo
Chair
Chartered Institute of Public Relations Scotland
CIPR_Scotland
With three decades of experience in communications, Stewart is happy to talk on almost any issue, but is particularly keen to share practical insights on:
• Measuring campaign impact: Focusing on the importance of evaluation in communications to demonstrate the real effects of campaigns, particularly in achieving business outcomes and driving behaviour change.
• Leadership communication: Helping leaders improve how they communicate their vision, both internally and externally, to align teams and engage stakeholders effectively.
• Crisis and reputation management: Lessons from managing high-profile and sensitive issues across the public and private sectors, with an emphasis on transparency and long-term reputation building.
• Corporate and B2B communication: Practical strategies for businesses to enhance corporate reputation and manage stakeholder relationships more effectively.
Naturally, Stewart can also talk about the benefits of professional membership organisations and the contribution of PR, public affairs and marketing communications generally.
Professional and personal background
Stewart began his career with BBC Radio Shetland before moving into public relations. His initial roles were with NHS Grampian and then the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, before he joined the City of Edinburgh Council.
Stewart then moved into agency, first with Weber Shandwick and then BIG Partnership, where he is responsible for its Edinburgh PR and public affairs teams.
His campaign and issues experience ranges from student finance to square sausages, container terminals to communicable diseases, fish farming to ferries, chemistry to crime, radioactivity to rewilding, lighthouses to life sciences and other forced alliterative pairs!
Venue
This conference will take place online.
Fees
How to book
You can book to attend, or order the video only, in 3 ways:
- Select book now on the right hand side of this page, fill in the form on that page and click the 'send booking' button
- Call 0131 556 1500
- Email mail@mackayhannah.com
Conference fees
- Delegate fee (includes video recording) – £149 +VAT
- Video recording (should you wish to purchase a video recording without registering to attend the conference) – £99 +VAT
GROUP DISCOUNT – organisations booking 3 ore more delegtes will recive every third delegate place free of charge (please complete further forms if necessary)
PLEASE NOTE – the option of ordering the video recording only is intended for any individual who would normally have attended the event but – for whatever reason – is unable to do so on the day. It is not permissible to share this recording. Please contact us if you wish to share this recording. See our terms and conditions for further information.
Payment
We do not currently accept payments online and will send you an invoice.
You have the option of paying by BACS or card.
BACS details will be included on the invoice.
If you wish to pay by card, please tick the appropriate box on the booking form and a member of our staff will contact you by telephone to take the payment. Alternatively you may call 0131 556 1500.
Terms and conditions
By placing this booking, you agree to the full terms and conditions found via the link at the foot of our website.
