Service updates

Scottish Youth Parliament election process gets underway in Stirling

Applications to stand in the Scottish Youth Parliament’s 2023 elections are now being accepted.

First published

23 May 2023

An image of a young person, standing, addressing a classroom of his peers who are sitting and listening to his speech.
Fraser Cronin, one of Stirling's two MSYPs, addresses young people from local schools.

Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament, also known as MSYPs, are aged between 14 and 25. They are democratically elected every two years – two each for every Scottish Parliament constituency.

In Stirling, two positions in the constituency will be contested with candidates having a chance to represent other young people in their local community.

Throughout their current term, MSYPs in Stirling have been working on consulting with local young people on their views and priorities for the local area.

Prospective candidates have until Monday, July 31 to register their interest in standing to become an MSYP. Young people will then receive training to help them develop their skills over the summer before they launch their election campaigns in the autumn.

Campaign

Across Scotland, young people will then cast their ballots to choose who they want to represent them for the next two years between Monday, November 6 and Sunday, November 19.

Mollie McGoran MSYP, Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said:

“We’re excited to launch our elections for people aged 14 to 25 across the country to stand to become MSYPs, ahead of our 25th anniversary as the democratically elected voice of Scotland’s young people in 2024.

“This is a chance to join a uniquely youth-led organisation to campaign for change on the important issues that young people care about.

“As well as giving a voice to children and young people, MSYPs will also build their confidence and learn new skills, all whilst having fun and making friends along the way.”

A head and shoulders pic of Councillor Danny Gibson in dark suit, white shirt and red tie.
Councillor Danny Gibson is encouraging local young people to consider standing as MSYPs.

Councillor Danny Gibson, convener of the Children and Young People Committee, said:

“Stirling Council values the work of our MSYPs and we are grateful for the commitment, dedication and work carried out over the last two years by our current MSYPs, Fraser and Matthew.

“As a former MSYP myself, I have seen first-hand the value of the opportunity for young people getting involved in the SYP process and would encourage young people who are interested in shaping their local communities to seize this wonderful opportunity.”

Successes

Since 1999, MSYPs have successfully campaigned for change for Scotland’s children and young people in their mission to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up.

Previous campaign successes have included free bus travel, protecting young people’s rights by campaigning to bring the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, and calling for 16 and 17 year olds to be able to vote in all Scottish elections.

Young people interested in standing for election to the SYP can find out more and register online at syp.org.uk/elections. If young people need any support in the process, they can contact the Youth Participation Team at Stirling Council on msyp@stirling.gov.uk.

The Youth Participation Team are also hosting an information evening for interested young people at the Raploch Community Campus, Drip Road, Stirling on Thursday, June 1 at 6pm.