Get ready to engage with Holyrood’s ‘Class of 2026’
In just over a week, a record number of MSPs are retiring - almost a third - and many more incumbents will lose their seats at the behest of an unsettled electorate at the Scottish election.
Over 40% of MSPs for the SNP, the current governing party and runaway leader in the polls, are hanging up their legislating boots. This includes prominent government ministers like Kate Forbes, Fiona Hyslop, and Shona Robison.
In just over a week, a record number of MSPs are retiring - almost a third - and many more incumbents will lose their seats at the behest of an unsettled electorate at the Scottish election.
Over 40% of MSPs for the SNP, the current governing party and runaway leader in the polls, are hanging up their legislating boots. This includes prominent government ministers like Kate Forbes, Fiona Hyslop, and Shona Robison.
But what does all this mean for business and organisations? Even if the polls are correct and the SNP remain in power, there will be a huge knowledge and relationship drain. Where strong relationships existed there will now be a credibility gap. With changing constituency boundaries in several areas, many businesses and charities will have new local representatives too.
That is why an effective outreach strategy is key for engaging with a Holyrood filled with many fresh faces. For new MSPs, this is a vital part of building trust and credibility as well as their knowledge base. In housing, for example, a new MSP will be aware of the housing emergency. But they are unlikely to have a strong grasp of how developers and social landlords work together to deliver new affordable homes in their constituency. That means you have the opportunity to help them shape solutions to problems like a lack of housing.
The same applies across other key sectors. In tourism and leisure, new MSPs will quickly encounter debates around visitor levies, infrastructure investment and the balance between economic growth and community impact. In life sciences, Scotland’s ambition to be a global leader in innovation depends on everything from planning policy and skills pipelines, to research funding and NHS collaboration.
Having worked in offices in Holyrood and Westminster, and with government ministers, I know all too well that newly elected members’ inboxes are overflowing with congratulations, invites, introductions and disgruntled constituents. Similarly, newly appointed Government Ministers find themselves grappling with a portfolio they may know very little about, as well as the army of civil servants advising them on impending crises coming down the track.
You therefore need to engage with the right people at the right time, and have a compelling offer to stand out from the crowd. That is where having a trusted public affairs advisor comes in. Your strategy must move beyond the generic. Providing them with insightful constituency level data can really bring issues to the front of mind. Get them along to see your organisation in action too.
Too often, people only engage politicians when something is going wrong. If you want to become a trusted partner, show them how things can start going right, whether that’s unlocking stalled developments, demonstrating how tourism drives regional economies, or evidencing how faster clinical trials can benefit patients and investors alike.
The 2026 election is more than just a change of personnel; it is a reset of the Scottish political landscape. Even a week out, there remains a lot of unknowns. How well will Reform UK do? Will the SNP get a majority? Who will make the ideal junior coalition partner?
While the political uncertainty and exodus of experience brings challenges, the 'Class of 2026' brings a blank slate. These new MSPs will be hungry for knowledge, expertise and want to make an impact. Paired with the reshuffling of committees and cross-party groups, the next few months will set the policy trajectory for the next half-decade. When you go to the polls next week, ensure your organisation has the right strategy in place to make the next five years a success.
Jack Hope is a Public Affairs Consultant for Perceptive Communicators.
