By Richard Wood

The first of six parties expected to win seats in 2026’s Scottish Parliament election published its manifesto on Thursday 19 March.

Reform UK launched their manifesto with worrying proposals including cutting the number of MSPs at Holyrood to 113 and regular reviews of devolution powers.

The party launched its manifesto significantly earlier than other parties in 2021.

READ MORE: Reform UK’s manifesto: Malcolm Offord’s party on Scottish democracy

Here’s when each of the other five main parties published their manifestos in 2021:

• 🟢 Scottish Greens: 14 April 2021
• 🟡 Scottish National Party: 15 April 2021
• 🟠 Scottish Liberal Democrats: 16 April 2021
• 🔵 Scottish Conservatives: 19 April 2021
• 🔴 Scottish Labour Party: 22 April 2021

All were published in a tight window of 14–22 April 2021.

When can we expect publication of the other manifestos in 2026?

Going by the most recent election, April looks most likely but there is little information available about when manifesto launches will actually be.

It remains to be seen whether parties stick with the mid-April clustering, or if they spread out launches.

READ MORE: Will the Scottish Parliament change its voting system?