Project can be “beacon of light” amid polarisation  

Marie today confirmed that she has agreed to support the University of Glasgow’s John Smith Centre in developing the next phase of their “Political Conversations” initiative.

The project involves experienced figures from the world of politics taking part in debate with each other in secondary school settings in front of an audience of senior level pupils, whilst also engaging directly with the students themselves.

It is unique in its ambition of seeking to involve and enthuse young people with the political process by means of direct engagement with senior politicians.

As part of the expansion of the initiative in 2026, including visits to the Scottish Parliament and a major conference hosted at Glasgow University, Marie has agreed to provide the John Smith Centre with seed funding in order to expand the programme’s scope and reach.

Commenting, Dr Marie Macklin CBE, Co-Founder of the initiative, said: 

“I am delighted to be supporting the John Smith Centre in rolling out the next phase of the Political Conversations initiative in schools.

“The project got off to a fantastic start last year, with the launch of the pilot event at my former school, Kilmarnock Academy. It saw two pupils, Carolina Sharp and Devlyn Ritchie, recognised by the John Smith Centre for their thoughtful reflections on the event, which were then published by the Centre.

“Due to the huge success of the pilot – which was in no small part thanks to the participation of former Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw MSP and former Scottish Government minister Alex Neil – it was clear there was a real appetite among young people for the kind of intelligent, engaged political discussion which this initiative brings to schools.

“It was also evident that there was scope for a wider rollout of the project, and that is why I have agreed to support the JSC as they look to expand it.

“At the start of another election year in Scotland, it is more important than ever that younger people are enthused and engaged by the political process.

“The future of our democracy depends to a significant extent on ensuring that enough young people with the talent and aptitude to lead are encouraged to put themselves forward to take part in the political process.

“In a political climate which is too often beset by tribalism, polarisation and toxicity, Political Conversations can be a beacon that lights the way forward.”

Kilmarnock Academy pupil Carolina Sharp said:

“After the John Smith Centre event I felt Alex Neil and Jackson Carlaw opened a new perspective to politics and the dynamics within it. They created a more humanised and rational impression of politics to me and others, proving that within and between different parties there is harmony, and the priority is about working together and reaching a middle ground.

“The John Smith Centre event they showed us that with commitment, integrity and respect the most successful path to being a politician is learning how to work together and compromise.”

Fellow pupil Devlyn Ritchie said:

“After the event I came out with a more in-depth understanding of politics and politicians, and how important they are to society. After hearing what both Alex Neil and Jackson Carlaw had to say, me and some of my peers came to the realisation that in fact, most politicians do want to make a difference and do try to make decisions that influence the public.

“This meeting was a real eye opener for me on how politicians can truly have an impact on day-to-day life and that they are overly disrespected by the public. After the meeting I spoke to a peer who had little background information on politics or the work of politicians but after the meeting, he told me he was extremely surprised and felt that he had left the room feeling like he had discovered a whole new side of things that was hiding in plain sight.”

Eddie Barnes, Director of the John Smith Centre, said: 

“We are delighted to be expanding the Political Conversations initiative in 2026, which promises to be another pivotal year in Scottish politics, and our thanks go to Marie for her generous support and her enthusiasm for the project.

“The pilot event in Kilmarnock and the subsequent schools events have underlined how much enthusiasm there is among younger people for getting involved in political debate, given the capacity it has to impact all our daily lives.

“With Marie’s backing, we hope to make 2026 a year in which Political Conversations firmly establishes itself as a fixture in Scotland’s political and educational calendar.”

You’ll be able to follow progress with Political Conversations via Marie’s Special Project page.