Culture Hustings
Culture Counts online hustings for Holyrood election
Cultural pressure group Culture Counts is holding a hustings on this Thursday 26 February 2026, with representatives of Scotland’s six main political parties taking part.
The hustings will be an opportunity for the parties to set out their plans for supporting Scotland’s cultural life in the next parliamentary term, ahead of the Holyrood election on Thursday 7 May 2026.
Tickets for the in-person hustings have all been snapped up, however the hustings will be available to view online. The event is free to view and anyone can sign up. The online event will start at 7pm and last an hour and half. Click here for online details.
Journalist Halla Mohieddeen who will chair the hustings. Pic: Up Next Studios,
The hustings will be chaired by Scottish journalist and broadcaster Halla Mohieddeen. All questions at the event will be asked by Mohieddeen, however everyone joining up to the live stream is being asked what their cultural priorities are and to suggest questions to be put to the participants.
The speakers put up by the six parties are:
- Angus Robertson. Scottish National Party. MSP. Cabinet secretary for constitution, external affairs and culture.
- Euan Davidson. Scottish Liberal Democrats. City of Edinburgh Councillor. No specific culture-related appointments or interests declared.
- Malcolm Offord. Reform UK Scotland. Merchant banker, ex-life peer. Scottish party leader. No specific culture-related appointments or interests declared.
- Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. MSP. Party spokesperson on culture.
- Neil Bibby. Scottish Labour. MSP. Member of the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee.
- Q Manivannan. Scottish Green Party. Lead candidate on the Lothian list for the 7 May election. No specific culture-related appointments or interests declared.
Culture Counts is Scotland’s network of arts, heritage, and creative industries organisations. It works to protect and develop the culture sector for the common good.
The Culture Hustings are co-organised by:
- Culture Counts
- Federation of Scottish Theatre
- Scottish Contemporary Art Network
- Festivals Edinburgh
- Equal Media & Culture Centre
- The Campaign for the Arts
Culture Hustings for May 2026 Holyrood Election.
Online
Thursday 26 February 2026
Evening: 7pm – 8.30pm.
Sign up to watch the hustings: Book here.
Scotlands Cultural Future 2026
ENDS
