CBI Scotland Joint Business Hustings with Party Leaders
On 2 April 2026, CBI Scotland joined forces with the leading business organisations across Scotland to host a landmark hustings event at RBS in Edinburgh.
Chaired by Gina Davidson, Political Editor of LBC Scotland, the event brought together all six party leaders and 300 business leaders from across Scotland for a wide-ranging discussion on the economy. Leaders were challenged on how they would support economic growth, reform business rates and planning, tackle skills shortages, and set out their vision for the next Scottish Parliament, giving the business community and CBI members an opportunity to hear directly from those seeking to govern Scotland.
Watch the Business Hustings 2026 in full
CBI Scotland’s Business Manifesto
As Scotland heads towards the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, CBI Scotland has set out a clear challenge to every political party: put growth and competitiveness back at the centre of the national debate, and commit to policies that make Scotland a serious place to invest, work and build businesses. Scotland's economy is not short of potential. Businesses across the country are ambitious, innovative and ready to invest. But for too long, growth has been held back by slow delivery, rising costs and policy choices that have quietly eroded competitiveness. The next Scottish Government will inherit an economy at a crossroads. The question is whether it chooses drift or delivery. That is why CBI Scotland has published its 2026 Business Manifesto, setting out the priorities the next government must grasp to restore confidence, unlock investment and put Scotland back on a path to sustainable growth.
CBI Scotland Roundtables with the main party leaders
Throughout 2026, CBI Scotland has been convening our members with the leaders of Scotland's main political parties to hold frank conversations about business priorities, economic growth, and how the next Scottish Parliament can create the conditions for Scotland to thrive.
- 14 January – Member dinner and roundtable with John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland
- 13 February – Roundtable with Anas Sarwar MSP, Leader of Scottish Labour Party
- 11 March – Roundtable with Malcom Offord, Reform UK
- 31 March – Roundtable with Russell Findlay MSP, Leader of the Scottish Conservatives
- 15 April – Roundtable with Alex Cole Hamilton MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
CBI Scotland responds to the Party manifestos
Read our response the Scottish Conservative Party manifesto
Read our response to the Scottish Labour Party manifesto
Read our response to the Scottish Liberal Democrats Party manifesto
CBI Scotland pre-election special event
On 21 April 2026, CBI Scotland brought together four of the sharpest minds in polling insights, economics, public policy and Scottish media to cut through the noise at our Pre-election Special Event. Over 200+ CBI members, guests and stakeholders packed into ScottishPower’s Glasgow HQ to hear the panel take on the big questions: What do the polls actually tell us? What are fiscal challenges facing the next Scottish Government? What was missing from the Party Manifestos on the economy? What does this election mean for economic growth?
The panel included:
- Sir John Curtice, Britain's foremost pollster, University of Strathclyde, provided an update on latest polling data and possible shape of next Government.
- Professor Nicola McEwen, University of Glasgow, Centre for Public Policy, gave the room an in depth look at some of the challenges government and society are facing.
- Sir Anton Muscatelli, President, Royal Society of Edinburgh, looked at the economic reality Scotland was facing with a £4.7billion fiscal deficit looming.
- Hosted by Brian Taylor, former BBC Scotland, Political Editor who brought the event to life with his expert political story-telling.
Get in touch with the CBI Scotland team
Get in touch with Chris Kelly, Head of Policy, CBI Scotland if you would like to discuss anything about the 2026 Election.
