Tag: democracy

Holyrood Elections: are you registered?

Scottish Parliament Elections Thursday 5 May

scot parliament

Voters are being encouraged to check they are on the electoral roll with less than  four weeks until the Scottish Parliament Election.

You must be registered if you want to vote on 5 May.

This is the first time 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in an election, other than the Scottish Independence Referendum, following the passing of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill last year.

Members of the public, including students and people who have moved home since the last time they registered, should check they are on the electoral roll ahead of the registration deadline on 18 April – that’s next Monday.

MAKE SURE YOU CAN HAVE YOUR SAY ON 5th MAY!

Scotland: we have a problem?

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On Wednesday 20 April, Electoral Reform Society Scotland is hosting a free public discussion to coincide with the release of our new report One Party To Rule Them All: Does Scotland Have A Predominant-Party Problem?

The report addresses the dangers of one party dominance in a parliament designed for coalitions. This event will be a fantastic opportunity to explore what Scots want from our democracy and what we can do to help keep the Scottish parliament diverse and cooperative.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Speakers include:

  • Lesley Riddoch (journalist and commentator)
  • Angela Haggerty (editor of CommonSpace)
  • Rory Scothorne (ERS Scotland)
  • Compered by Gerry Hassan (writer and academic)

7pm – 8.30pm, Wednesday 20 April.

Blythswood Hall,
Renfield St Stephen’s Centre,
260 Bath St,
Glasgow, G2 4JP

Join the Facebook event and invite your friends here.

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Letters: Beware promises made to be broken

Dear Editor

Holyrood

Between now and the election of members for the Scottish Parliament in May, prospective candidates will claim and counter-claim that they are the ones we can trust. When we make our choice we hop that trust is not misplaced – the only help we have in choosing is the past record of the individual or their party.

A close look is needed to avoid being taken in by words and promises that flow freely during election times. Promises made, then broken, are usually blamed on others – whether here in Scotland, the UK or abroad.

After voting we cannot sit back and let them have free rein: this has happened so many times, resulting in a dreadful cost to most of us.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

 

Last call for Holyrood candidates

Thinking of standing in the Holyrood election? Then you’d better get your skates on!

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Nominations close today for candidates to stand in next month’s Scottish Parliamentary Election – and papers must be submitted by 4pm.

The Notice of Election was published on 14 March for Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh Eastern, Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Edinburgh Pentlands, Edinburgh Southern and Edinburgh Western Constituencies plus the Lothian Region.

In order to stand as a candidate, individuals must submit nomination papers, which are available on the Council website, by Friday, 1 April.

The Scottish Parliamentary Election will take place on Thursday 5 May when people living across Scotland will elect MSPs to represent them at Holyrood.

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh and Regional Returning Officer for the Lothian Region, said: “The Notice of Election signifies the official start of the election period. The forthcoming election will enable the city’s residents to have their say, and I would take this opportunity to urge all citizens to use their vote.

“We are keen to continue the enthusiasm demonstrated by voters during the UK Parliamentary Election last year and the Scottish Referendum in 2014, including the 16 and 17-year-olds who will be able to vote for the first time. Anyone unsure about how to register, where to vote or how to vote by post can find more information on the Council website.”

More than 84% of the city’s residents voted in the Scottish Independence Referendum in September 2014, which also saw a record-breaking turnout across the country. At the UK Parliamentary Election in May 2015 turnout in the capital stayed high, at an average of 73% across Edinburgh’s five constituencies.

On 5 May it will be the first time that 16 and 17-year-olds can vote in a Parliamentary election after the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Bill was passed last year.

While most people who registered to vote in time for the UK Parliamentary Election will still be eligible to take part in the Scottish Parliament Election in May, first time voters or anyone who has since moved house will need to register again. Continue reading Last call for Holyrood candidates

Question Time event to focus on Social Justice

TUESDAY 22 MARCH 6 – 8pm

CRAIGROYSTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

SOCIAL JUSTICE QUESTION TIME

QT Tue 22 March

Power to the People: double event this week

Power1

Please see below publicity advertising  two information and discussion sessions being hosted by the Power to the People group this  week. Continue reading Power to the People: double event this week

Letter: Crocodile tears over EU exit

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Dear Editor

Tory politicians and others who the UK to leave the EU are extremely vocal about being able to trade as usual after leaving: they know, of course, how many people depend on this trading for their jobs, so seek to assure them.

If this is so, what other reasons do they have for wanting to leave – and more importantly whose interests are they concerned about?

Their main unspoken objective is to abolish all EU regulations dealing with working and social conditions, health and safety regulations and the environment – all of which have been of great benefit to people working in the UK.

On working conditions, for example:

  • A maximum working week of 48 hours
  • A minimum break of 11 hours rest between working days
  • A minimum break of 24 hours from work in seven days, in addition to the daily 11 hours rest
  • Annual leave entitlement of four weeks minimum
  • Night work of eight hours maximum in 24 hours
  • Equal opportunities for women and men
  • Pregnancy, maternity and parental leave
  • Prohibition of discrimination on sex, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation grounds

So what do they object to – and why?

These regulations can always be improved by the UK Government; the same applies to health and safety and environmental reguations and others that have been of great benefit to the people of the UK.

But this is not their intention, of course – quite the reverse! This is why they want to get out, while shedding tears over how much they care!

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens