Focus on the Future
The Scottish Policy Forum has an important role in informing the Scottish Labour Party’s policy development process as we build towards the next Scottish Parliament election in 2026.
The SPF is composed of delegates from CLPs (Constituency Labour Parties), trade unions and affiliates, politicians and our wider party leadership.
The SPF provides the opportunity for members, trade unions, societies and wider society to feed into and inform discussions on key policies.
We want to draw on the vast expertise in communities and organisations across Scotland, and that is why we will consult on key policy areas.
The first consultation document will be published on 5th December, with a closing date of 25th January. You can also contact the Scottish Policy Forum any time at: [email protected]
We want to hear from you, so that together we can develop policies that will build a better future for Scotland.
Meet our Chair and Vice-Chairs:
Chair: Karen Whitefield, USDAW
Karen Whitefield is the Deputy Head of Education at one of Britain’s largest trade unions, USDAW (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers). Prior to working at USDAW, Karen was the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Airdrie and Shotts constituency, winning three successive elections (1999, 2003 and 2007). During her time in the Scottish Parliament, she chaired the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Lifelong Learning & Culture Committee, the Communities Committee, and was the Shadow Minister for Children.
Throughout her career, Karen Whitefield has been a champion for retail and distribution workers, including by introducing the ‘Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Bill’ through the Scottish Parliament. Her ambition to reduce poverty through fair pay and improved terms and conditions continues to this day.
Vice-Chair: Michael Marra MSP
Michael Marra MSP is a Scottish Labour regional member for North-East Scotland. He is Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance. A graduate of the University of Glasgow and the London School of Economics, Michael has been a lifelong campaigner and activist in the Scottish Labour Party. Prior to being elected as an MSP in 2021, Michael worked at the University of Dundee where, for a decade, he led major national and international research projects. He previously served as Head of Policy for Oxfam. Michael also represented the Lochee Ward on Dundee City Council for five years.
Vice-Chair: Katherine Sangster
Katherine Sangster is the Scottish Director of The Fabian Society. Britain’s oldest political think tank, the society has been at the forefront of developing public policy for over 130 years. She has written Fabian pamphlets on the future of devolution, election strategy and social security reform. Katherine has also worked for a number of MPs and MSPs, as well as campaigning for the Labour Party for the last ten years. Before her career in politics, she campaigned for fairer access to childcare, lobbying the Scottish Government on behalf of working parents.
Commissions
The SPF is split into four Commissions which will each focus on key policy areas.
Commission 1: Focus on the future: becoming an economic powerhouse to improve lives
Commission 2: Focus on the future: a modern NHS and social care system that puts people at the centre
Commission 3: Focus on the future: from cradle to career to give young people the best start in life
Commission 4: Focus on the future: more equal and safer communities so we can all thrive