WiPA Manifesto Mini-Series: Influencing Policy Ahead of Holyrood 2026

WiPA Manifesto Mini-Series: Influencing Policy Ahead of Holyrood 2026

Scottish Liberal democrats: James Parry, Director of Parliamentary Operations

and Mhairi Macdonald, Policy and Research Manager

As Scotland moves steadily toward the 2026 Holyrood elections, Women in Public Affairs (WiPA) Scotland is launching a focused Manifesto Mini-Series – designed to equip public affairs professionals with the insight and tools needed to shape and influence party manifestos effectively.

This webinar series will bring together policy and manifesto leads from Scotland’s key political parties, each sharing details on their party’s manifesto development processes. The sessions will provide valuable clarity on timelines, priorities, and expectations – enabling attendees to understand where, when, and how to engage meaningfully.

Why This Matters:

The next few months are critical. Political parties are already shaping their positions on the key issues that will define the 2026 election. For organisations seeking to amplify their voice and priorities, this series provides a rare opportunity to:

• Gain direct insight into how parties develop their manifestos and how external input is considered.
• Understand policy focus areas
• Learn what information, evidence, or proposals are most useful to party policy teams.
• Plan and refine engagement strategies to maximise influence during the pre-election period.

This series may be helpful for policy, public affairs or communications professionals new to the Scottish political landscape or those seeking a refresher on manifesto engagement best practice.

Sessions:

Each session will feature:

• A presentation from the Party manifesto teams
• An open Q&A with attendees
• Practical guidance on effective engagement