Understanding Scottish Government, Parliament, MSPs and politics in 2026: how they work, how to influence them and what's coming next
Tuesday 27th January 2026
These are turbulent times. Imminent Scottish Parliament elections, weak public finances, potentially seismic domestic political change, continuing war in Ukraine, the unpredictable global consequences of the second Trump Presidency – all require the best judgement. Amid waves of uncertainty buffeting Scotland's public services, private sector and third sector, it is essential to know how to influence key decision makers as they respond to the challenges ahead.
The Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, Ministers, MSPs and political parties control legislation, policy and spending decisions affecting the activities of all organisations and people in Scotland. Good, informed decision making is important in stable times and invaluable in difficult times. This conference examines how those institutions and people work. It explains the political, policy and media context within which decision making in those bodies takes place. It is intended for organisations and people that seek to be heard by decision makers. Whatever your focus – development of legislation, policy making, ongoing constitutional change or spending decisions – the how and why of government and parliamentary decision making matters.
How policy is made, legislation developed and spending decisions taken are subject to specific processes and a range of other, wider influences. Knowing what those processes are and how the institutions and the individuals within them work is essential. So too is knowing the role of the media and the changing political context government operates in. As is awareness of legal and political rules regarding influencing. This conference gives you a step-by-step guide to making your voice heard in the corridors of power. It explains the relationship between Government, Parliament, politicians and media and discusses how policy is developed and decision making can be influenced.
Developing a clear understanding of how government works in Scotland is important. Being a policy weather maker before decisions are taken – rather than reading what policy has become once the debate is over – is essential. Knowing how the system really works – and how to influence it – is critical.
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 campaigning 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
Andrew Henderson
Director of Public Policy
Pinsent Masons
Andy Maciver
Founder/Director
Message Matters
John Morrison
Managing Director
Morrison Media
Agenda
Tuesday 27th January 2026
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 Ministerial role in policy and decision making
- The gate keepers – civil servants, special advisers and party staff
- MSPs – what makes them think, listen and act
09:20 Question and answer session
09:35 Lobbying Register compliance – good practice and possible future developments
- What the Lobbying Act is and what it requires
- Compliance best practice
- Future developments
09:50 The evolving Scottish and UK political contexts – what do you need to know?
Andy Maciver, Founder/Director, Message Matters
- The current Scottish and UK political situation – thinking about what's coming next.
- Understanding what is really going on politically and what is driving it
- Imagining the next 12 months
10:05 Question and answer session
10:20 Comfort break
Session 2: How the decision makers work
10:35 How the Scottish Parliament works
- Where and when is engagement with MSPs possible?
- Understanding role of MSPs and parliamentary committees
- Not all MSPs are the same – how and why backbenchers, committee chairs and Ministers matter
- Influencing policy, legislation and decision making
10:50 The political parties – what do you need to understand about them?
Andrew Henderson, Director of Public Policy, Pinsent Masons
Linkedin Pinsent Masons Linkedin Andrew Henderson
- Political parties, movements and voices – what's changed and changing?
- What is driving each of the parties
- Rising stars – the ones to watch
11:05 The Scottish Government from the inside
- What is it like inside the Scottish Government?
- How decision making happens and why that matters
- How can you increase your chance of being heard?
11:20 Question and answer session
11:35 Comfort break
Session 3: How to influence
11:50 How to use the media
John Morrison, Managing Director, Morrison Media
- The role of the media in influencing
- What makes the news, what gets reported?
- Understanding how the media functions – what matters and what doesn't?
12:05 What are the public saying they think and want?
- What do we know about public opinion today?
- How does public opinion drive public policy?
- Shaping opinion – knowing what works and what doesn't
12:20 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
12:35 Question and answer session
12:40 Chair's closing remarks
Speakers
Andrew Henderson
Director of Public Policy
Pinsent Masons
Pinsent_Masons
Andrew Henderson joined Pinsent Masons in 2016, before which he was Head of Public Affairs and External Relations at a new challenger bank being created from within one of the UK’s largest financial services companies.
Andrew has over 20 years’ experience in the public policy and strategic communications industry, operating across Edinburgh, London and the UK regions, and has advised a broad range of major PLCs, SMEs, third sector, and other organisations on their dealings with government, media and other influential stakeholders.
Educated in Politics at the University of Edinburgh, Andrew also has an MBA and is a member of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
Formerly a board member of Citizens Advice Edinburgh, and the Rock Trust, Andrew currently sits on the board of Edinburgh World Heritage.
Andy Maciver
Founder/Director
Message Matters
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AKMaciver
HolyroodSources
Andy has over 20 years of experience in politics and PR in the public, private and charity sectors and, since co-founding Message Matters, in consultancy.
His expertise is in strategic communications and corporate positioning, helped by long-standing relationships across the political spectrum and throughout the media. He is also a regular independent political commentator on the BBC and STV, has a regular column in The Herald, and is co-host of Holyrood Sources, the most listened to Scottish politics podcast.
John Morrison
Managing Director
Morrison Media
MediaMorrison
John Morrison is the Managing Director of Morrison Media, an award-winning PR, Public Affairs and Media Training company delivering consultancy services to some of the biggest brands in the country.
Before setting up Morrison Media 15 years ago, John was one of the most recognisable faces on BBC News for more than two decades. He was a BBC network news correspondent, Europe correspondent based in Brussels, and BBC Scotland chief political correspondent at Holyrood and Westminster.
In January 2023 John was appointed by Ofcom as the chair of MG ALBA, which partners with the BBC to deliver a wide and diverse range of high-quality Gaelic programmes on BBC ALBA and its digital platforms.
Venue
This conference will take place online.
Fees
How to book
You can book to attend 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 of the conference) – £169 +VAT
- Group discount – organisations booking 3 or more delegates will receive every third delegate place at half price (please complete further forms if necessary)
Please note – It is not permissible to share the recording. Please contact us if you wish to share it. 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 to pay by bank transfer or card.
Bank 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.
