The number of young people campaigning to stand for Edinburgh in the Scottish Youth Parliament has increased by fifty per cent, it was announced today.
A total of 27 young people from all areas of the city are now in the running to represent Edinburgh in this year’s Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) – up from 18 standing for election last year.
Ranging in age from 14 to 23, the youth candidates represent Council and independent schools, colleges and universities and are competing for 12 seats – across six city areas: Central, Eastern, Northern & Leith, Pentlands, Southern and Western.
City Education Leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said, “This increase in candidates just goes to show that despite claims in some quarters of apathy and disinterest, young people in Edinburgh today have a passionate awareness of both their local community and the wider world around them.
“Standing for the Scottish Youth Parliament will provide all the candidates with an ideal platform to present the issues that matter to them to a wider audience and I look forward to following their campaigns with interest.”
With advice from the Council’s Young Edinburgh team, the candidates can now start to work on their election campaign in order to get the most votes in the SYP elections on 14-25 March.
As well as hitting the campaign trail in their schools, colleges and local community, they will be able to post a mini-manifesto and campaign videos on the SYP Edinburgh Facebook page.
