Newsletter, 1 June 2026

Tomorrow is the day!

The day-before newsletter for the Scotland 2050 Conference 2026 at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh.

Hello,

With less than 24 hours to go till Scotland 2050 takes place at the iconic Assembly Rooms, George Street, Edinburgh, we can't wait to see everyone there for a full day of discussion and insight, as we have a conversation about Scotland's future. Scotland 2050 is the people's conference in which we aim to tackle some of the issues affecting Scotland today for a better tomorrow.

One of our founding principles is that we believe that Scotland needs a long-term plan that goes beyond the five-year parliamentary cycle that tackles the structural issues facing Scotland today, where politicians put aside party-political differences and focus on delivering for Scotland.

We will hear from former First Minister of Scotland, Lord Jack McConnell, Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Ivan McKee MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform will give a keynote speech at mid-day followed by a question-and-answer session.

My ambition is for Scotland 2050 to be more than just a conference. Last year we launched the Scotland 2050 manifesto ahead of the Scottish Parliament election in which every MSP received a copy, and this year we will be looking at taking Scotland 2050 across Scotland to directly engage with people, as well as looking at other policy areas.

Best wishes,

Barrie
Founder, Scotland 2050

In case you missed it: weekend media highlights

Barrie has been busy spreading the word about the vision behind this movement over the last 48 hours:

  • In print: Barrie wrote a full op-ed in the Scotland on Sunday.
  • On the airwaves: Barrie was also on BBC Radio Scotland on Sunday morning, in a segment starting at 11:20am, explaining why keeping this platform free and accessible to everyone is so vital.

Tomorrow's agenda at a glance

Our five core panels are designed to look forward, tackling the big structural challenges and opportunities facing our nation head-on:

  • Energy and Connectivity: Exploring Scotland's energy future and what it means for our local communities.
  • Scotland's Future Economy: Discovering how we build a stronger, more resilient Scottish economy.
  • Rebuilding Trust: Setting the tone for a new, constructive era in Scottish political discourse.
  • Navigating Change: Understanding Scotland's place and influence within a global landscape.
  • Homes of Tomorrow: Confronting Scotland's housing crisis directly.

What our speakers are saying

Here is a look at what some of our panel members are bringing to the table tomorrow:

"Our core focus will be on ensuring that we deliver for the people of Scotland and that means engaging with government when we can, but also ensuring that the government is held to account..."

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP

"Energy is at the heart of any discussion about the future, whether it be energy security, cutting the cost of living, taken action to reduce emissions or the critical role that connectivity and infrastructure play..."

Bill Esterson MP

"I'm looking forward to... talking about the importance of building a future economy that creates opportunities for business investment and growth, both domestically and on the world stage."

Charandeep Singh

"Data has shown that trust in elected representatives is at an all-time low and it's timely to have this discussion."

Mark Diffley

Checklist: things to remember before arriving

  1. Arrive early: Doors open at 8:30am for registration, tea and coffee. With a capacity crowd expected, arriving early guarantees you can grab a hot drink and secure a great seat before the 9:00am opening remarks.
  2. Have your ticket ready: Tickets will be scanned at the entrance. Please have your Eventbrite ticket downloaded to your phone or printed out.
  3. Can no longer make it? Because space is tight, we want to ensure no seats go empty. If your plans have changed, please cancel your ticket via Eventbrite today so we can automatically release it to someone on the waiting list.
View the full timing and speaker schedule

See you bright and early tomorrow morning!

The Scotland 2050 Team