Scottish Youth Parliament elections are open until 19 November.
Young people from S1 to age 25 can vote using their Young Scot card.
Make sure your voice is heard!
To vote visit: http://voting.young.scot
EDINBURGH CENTRAL candidates
EILIDH DEWAR
I have many hopes and ambitions for the future of young people and I hope that becoming an MSYP will allow me to put these hopes into reality for Scotland’s young people.
I want votes for sixteen and seventeen year olds in every election. Sixteen/seventeen year olds were able to vote in the referendum. It opened a lot of young people’s eyes to politics. They took a keen interest to politics by researching and deciding what they wanted to vote. Younger people involved in elections is a great idea because it shows
adults that they have a voice and are able to decide what they want and which party would benefit them. It is a step in the right direction as it would get young people a lot more involved and interested in politics.
I found that young people want more opportunities in their communities. They want more clubs and organizations focused on certain skills. If there are more opportunities to learn skills in certain areas, it opens doors for young people and could help them decide what they want to do as a career. For example, Screen Education Edinburgh is a film-making group I have worked with. SEE is open to any young person interested
in filming, editing, acting etc. As an aspiring film-maker, I have worked with SEE a lot and seeing the support they give young people who want to pursue a career in film or just do it as a hobby, is phenomenal. These types of groups benefit young people as it is a way for them to meet people, who are interested in the same things as them, improve skills and put them on a good path for their future.
I found that young people want more support when it comes to work experience. Work experience is important as it gives young people experience to put on CV’s. I was told by many young people that they want authorities to prioritise work experience for them so it is easier for them to get work experience outside school. This is important because being able to work is a skill every person must have because it opens up opportunities for them in future.
I spoke to people who were worried about lack of security streetwise. I want to see more police on foot patrolling streets instead of the odd police car. I want to know I am safe walking home and this is the case for everyone. I would make it a priority to get more security streetwise such as policemen on foot and more CCTV. Safety is so important and more security means less crime, making Edinburgh safer for everyone.
These are only a few of the things I would do as an MYSP. I have many other ideas that I feel passionate about. As an MSYP I would make it priority to make Edinburgh a better place for our generation.
LUCIE DUFFY
My name is Lucie Duffy and this year I’ll be standing as a candidate for the Scottish Youth Parliament in the Edinburgh Central constituency. I am becoming more interested in politics and politics itself is definitely something I might like to do when I’m older, so to be able to get the chance to represent you at the SYP would be an amazing opportunity for me.
In this manifesto you can read more about me and what I believe are important topics that should be brought to the Scottish Youth Parliament.
I want to be a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament because I believe that young people all over Scotland should have the confidence to stand up and have their say in how the country is run. Also, me being a girl, I feel that sometimes women are under-represented in Governments and Parliament and I want to change that.
I believe that the youth of Edinburgh needs a positive, helpful and friendly MSYP to represent them, and I think that this MSYP could be me.
I am involved in my school’s Amnesty International Youth Group, in which we mainly organise events to raise awareness of the work Amnesty International is doing in the UK and abroad. This means that one of the key issues I would want to raise at the Scottish Youth Parliament is the basic human rights of young people in Scotland, such as being entitled to a home and a family life.
90% of 16 and 17 year olds voted responsibly in the Scottish Referendum, so I see no reason why they shouldn’t be allowed votes in all elections. This is a campaign that is already being raised at the Scottish Youth Parliament but if I were to be elected it would be something that I would help maintain. I think that we should at least try to have the topic discussed with Parliament to consider possible changes.
Last but not least, I feel that the topic of Better Sex Education in schools should be raised. Scotland has the highest rate of teen pregnancies in Europe and this is something I definitely want to change. I believe that young people in Scotland should go into these experiences with a clear head, and it shouldn’t be something to be embarrassed or confused about.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my manifesto, and I hope to receive your vote in the SYP election 2015.
WING YAN NG
Giving young people a voice and fair representation is crucial to me. We need to protect our interests through strong representation and I want to listen and act if elected. Having been a MSYP for one term already, I feel even more motivated and enthusiastic to represent young people of Edinburgh Central.
Last year, I successfully supported to raise the national minimum wage for under 18 year olds through our national campaign “One Fair Wage”. However, I still want to work on my previous policies which were to solve the problem of the lack of funding for leisure facilities in Edinburgh, more work opportunities for university graduates and reducing bus and tram fares. My campaign for these policies is not necessarily about “change” but to review our current system and to see if there should
be more improvement.
First of all, I want young people to enjoy using facilities and not be restricted by money; they have the right to enjoy the facilities that are provided for them by Government.
Secondly, I think bus and tram fares should either be frozen for a reasonable period of time or be reduced.
Third and finally, there should be more work programmes introduced to school leavers/graduate leavers for their chosen field of work.
Young people need more opportunities today to learn a variety of new skills required in growing employment sectors. Strong and passionate leadership is needed and I believe I can make a difference by representing your interests in the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Thank you for your support.
EDINBURGH WESTERN constituency
There are two candidates:
OWEN CRUIKSHANK
SYP_Manifesto_Owen_Crusickshank_-_Edinburgh_Western
LAURA HOLLOWAY
You still have seven days to cast your vote in the Scottish Youth Parliament elections …
The Scottish Youth Parliament is a non-party political organisation made up of 150 young people representing every constituency in Scotland. It campaigns to highlight the views of Scotland’s young people on a national and international stage.
Its members meet three times each year at a range of different locations, including in the main chamber at Holyrood’s Scottish Parliament.
There are 12 seats representing Edinburgh open to candidates who receive the most votes at the elections in March. These are in six city areas: Central, Eastern, Northern & Leith, Pentlands, Southern and Western.
Anyone aged between 12 and 25 is eligible to vote – to get involved young people can log onto the Young Scot website and use their Young Scot number to vote (temporary numbers for voting are also available from a selection of schools and community venues across the city).
EDINBURGH NORTHERN & LEITH CANDIDATES
EILIDH MACKAY
Hello, I’m Eilidh, and I want to be your MSYP for Edinburgh North and Leith. Why Me?
I am passionate about being a voice for young people in my area and across Scotland
I think there are important changes that need to be made for the benefit of young people in our country
I have been a member of the Youth Issues forum for 4 years, proving my enthusiasm and meaning I know what issues are important to young people in Edinburgh
I have a lot of experience in public speaking so won’t be afraid to speak out about the issues that are important
MAIN ISSUES
Votes at 16
This is something I feel very strongly about; we have a voice that deserves to be heard
Sex Education
I feel that there is a serious lack of proper sex ed in schools. This is an issue I’ve heard from a lot of people and one I promise to take forward
School Dinners
Everyone knows school dinners are awful, so why has nothing changed? There needs to be a proper look taken at the quality and healthiness of what we serve to school students.
Follow Me – @littlenerdyscot – and tweet me with any questions you may have. I Hope I Have Your Vote!
KIERAN REAPE
Why I’m Standing
I’m standing for Edinburgh Northern and Leith in the upcoming 2015 Scottish Youth Parliament elections to represent the young people in the
Edinburgh Northern and Leith constituency.
What I will support and commit to as a Member of Scottish Youth Parliament:
– Votes at 16 (including all elections; UK and Scottish General Elections;
European Elections and Local Council Elections)
– Equality in Young People.
– Higher minimum wage for under-18’s and Modern Apprentices
I want Votes at 16 to become a reality across every type of election possible. This ties in with equality in young people. Young people should be able to Vote.
I also want Modern Apprentices and Under 18’s to be paid higher. The Modern Apprenticeship minimum wage is £2.73 per hour. Compare
that to the National Minimum of £6.50 per hour and you can see that the
gap is far too big.
A little bit about me
I’m 17 years old and born and raised in Edinburgh. I attended Drummond Community High School. After leaving in 5th year I ended up doing some work with the European Parliament shortly after I left school and eventually started a Certificate of Work Readiness at
the National Records of Scotland in January 2014 to March 2014.
I completed the certificate in March and achieved a Highly Commended SQA Star Award for my efforts there and my destination of work after the placement. After the placement I immediately started a one year modern apprenticeship for a SVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration. I now work for the Scottish Government.
Like me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KieranReapeMSYP
Follow me on Twitter: @Keezor
Email me: K.L.Reape@gmail.com
Please note that due to the Code of the Civil Service, my influence on anything to do with the portfolio I will work in is extremely limited. It’s fortunate that each constituency actually has two MSYP’s. In the case of a portfolio topic, of where I work was to arise, I would plan to hand it over to the other MSYP of the constituency.
TERRI SMITH
SYP_Manifesto_Terri_Smith_Edinburgh_Northern_and_Leith
Past experience:
I’ve been a MSYP since 2009
Current Vice Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament
Peer educator/mentor locally & nationally
Youth Worker with disadvantaged young people
Involved in 3 successful national campaigns
Registered over 200 young people to vote in the referendum
Why vote for me?
I have vast experience
I’m hard working
Great at public speaking
I love working with young people
I always throw in a bit of banter
I’m committed to further representing you for another 2 years!
I have a great working relationship with our politicians.
A vote for #TeamTerri is a vote for …
1. More support for LGBT young people
2. More knowledge and access to local and national opportunities
3. Engage and provide more support to the local youth forum and youth clubs/groups
4. Campaign to improve work experience
5. Tackle bullying In schools and provide further support for bullied young people
6. Continue to work with NUS Scotland to ensure college and university students aren’t facing further cuts to their education.
Edinburgh’s young people to have their say
Scotland’s Youth Employment Strategy is to be updated to reflect the strengthening economic conditions and the Government’s ambition to radically improve how young people move from education to employment .
Employers, public bodies and the third sector all now have the chance to contribute to a ‘refreshed’ strategy which is expected to be published later this year.
Cabinet Secretary for Training, Youth and Women’s Employment Angela Constance will meet around 60 young people in Edinburgh later today to gauge their views on the best ways to help 16 to 24 year olds into work. She said: “The Scottish Government’s Youth Employment Strategy was published in late 2012 as a cross government drive to ensure the right links were being made by government, local authorities and other key partners.
“Much has changed since then, with the latest figures showing that youth unemployment has fallen from 91,000 to 65,000 in the last two years. The number out of work is still unacceptable but Scotland’s economy has returned to pre-recession levels and employment in the general population is higher than ever.
“I am determined to maintain a strong focus on youth unemployment so that young people will continue to benefit from the economic growth that we are delivering. There has also been considerable activity at government level, not least our response to the work by the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.
“History tells us that following a period of economic difficulty, it takes longer for the jobs market for younger age groups to recover, but I am determined to push beyond even the pre-recession levels of youth unemployment of around 13 per cent.
“We share the Commission’s vision of a world class system of vocational education and of a 40 per cent cut in youth unemployment by 2020. But to ensure we are doing everything in our power to help our young women and men to succeed and to take advantage of the strengthening economy, our approach must continue to evolve and our central strategy must reflect the current economic conditions.
“With the full range of economic levers that an independent country would have including taxation and welfare, we would be able to better align our service so that we make an even greater difference in the lives of our young women and men.”
In a joint statement YouthLink Scotland, Scottish Youth Parliament, and Young Scot, said: “As organisations who work with young people we welcome the government’s continued focus on youth employment. It is important that an updated youth employment strategy listens to the views of young people so we can develop the right employment programmes, training and opportunities that reflect their needs. A well supported, vibrant and dynamic youth work and young people’s sector will play a key role alongside the strategy in bringing skills and positive opportunities to young people.”
