This week, over 50 of our members and supporters came together in Stirling for our latest Member Network Briefing – a packed afternoon of policy insights and discussion as we look ahead to the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.
Checking the pulse on party positions
We kicked off with a presentation our director Colin Howden and public affairs manager Laura Hyde-White on where the parties currently stand on transport, based our analysis of previous manifesto commitments and recent conversations with MSPs, researchers, and political advisers.
We explored key messages emerging from the political landscape, particularly the rise of “war on the motorist” rhetoric, and how we pivot towards compelling, inclusive messaging on sustainable transport in an increasingly fragmented media and political environment.
See our slides here. All photos are at the end of this page.
A collaborative advocacy approach
Next up, Mark McIntyre from Cycling Scotland presented their headline asks from the joint active travel manifesto, backed by 50 organisations across the sector. These include:
- Long-term investment
- Multi-year funding
- Safe, accessible infrastructure
- Integrated journeys
- Safer streets
Read more about the Joint Active Travel Manifesto here.
How to influence party manifestos
The second half of the session focussed on how organisations can ‘get their voice heard’. From writing strong manifestos and policy briefings to building relationships, understanding timelines, and making the most of key political moments in the run-up to 2026, SCVO‘s Sheghley Oglivie delivered an informative and interactive session for Transform members.
You can view the slides from all the presentations here.
Wrapping up
The lively Q&A touched on everything from concessionary fares to how we communicate the need to reduce car use at a time when parties are leaning into ‘protect the motorist’ messaging, showing the breadth of expertise and experience across our membership.
We ended the afternoon with informal networking and a guided tour of Stirling Railway Station from Transform member David Giles (Scottish Association for Public Transport).
United for change
It was great to see such a wide mix of operators, environmental groups, and advocates for rail, bus, walking and cycling all in one room.
Events like this capture what Transform does best: bringing the sector together – from local campaigners to national organisations – to push for a fairer, more sustainable transport system.
Thanks to everyone who joined us. We look forward to hosting more member network briefings online in the autumn – you can check dates for these on our event page here.
