Edinburgh students and politicians in debate ahead of 2026 Scottish Parliament elections
Student speakers will join forces with rival politicians in a debate at Edinburgh University on Monday, looking ahead to this year’s Scottish Parliament elections.
The Edinburgh Union will host a debate on the motion: This House Has No Confidence in the Scottish Government Ahead of the Holyrood Election.
Guest speakers will include East Lothian SNP MSP Paul McLennan, Scottish Lib Dem leader and Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole Hamilton and Labour’s Katherine Sangster, candidate for Edinburgh Eastern, Musselburgh & Tranent.
Student speakers from Edinburgh University will take opposing sides alongside them in the debate at the Rainy Hall in New College on The Mound on Monday, January 19.
The audience, comprising students and academics from across Edinburgh’s universities, will have the opportunity to question speakers and ultimately vote on whether they retain confidence in the Scottish Government ahead of the upcoming election.
Edinburgh Union president Finn Tyson said: "With the Holyrood election approaching, this debate gives students and the wider academic community the chance to assess the record of the Scottish Government and directly question candidates seeking to govern Scotland.
"The Edinburgh Union exists to foster open, challenging, and respectful debate. Our events are open to all students, and we are proud to bring together voices from across the political spectrum to start this semester with an event centered on democratic engagement and rigorous discussion."
The debate marks the beginning of the Edinburgh Union’s summer term programme. Other debates coming up include whether immigration is the biggest issue facing the UK, and whether NATO can solve modern security challenges, as well as a Varsity debate against the Cambridge Union.