Five things you need to know today Edinburgh!

Discussion on lowering the voting age

Scottish Labour

Christmas film

UN Year of Light

First Minister’s auction raises money for charity

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will tomorrow hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron aimed at delivering new powers to the Scottish Parliament to give 16 and 17 year-olds the right to vote in Scottish Parliament elections.

The First Minister will be in London to attend a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) before holding bilateral talks with the Prime Minister in Downing Street.

It is hoped that the one to one discussions with the Prime Minister will help secure agreement on transferring the necessary powers to ensure that 16 and 17 year-olds can vote in the May 2016 Holyrood election.

It follows the successful addition of the age group to the electoral roll for the independence referendum – and the extension of the franchise for parliamentary elections is now widely supported on a cross-party basis.

Commenting ahead of the talks with the Prime Minister, the First Minister said:

“Giving 16 and 17 year-olds the vote for the independence referendum is widely seen as having been a huge success, which added to the unprecedented democratic engagement of the campaign and the massive turnout.

“We want to make sure those same young adults now have the chance to vote in the next Scottish Parliament election, and have their say on how the country should be run.

“But to do that we need agreement from Westminster – and that’s why tomorrow’s talks with the Prime Minister are so important.

“I will make it clear to David Cameron that we need to see swift action to make sure the powers are transferred in time to allow 16 and 17 year-olds to have a vote in the next Holyrood election.

“Any delay by Westminster in taking forward the necessary steps could see them deprived of a vote – but I am very confident that will not happen and that myself and the Prime Minister will reach a deal.”

The First Minister added that the issue of votes for 16 and 17 year-olds was an important marker of Westminster’s commitment on the delivery of powers to Scotland as recommended by the report of the Smith Commission.

She said:

“This issue is a key early test of Westminster’s commitment to delivering the additional powers for Scotland proposed by the Smith Commission.

“While those powers are not nearly as extensive as we would have wished, we do welcome them and now need to see them delivered as quickly as possible.

“There can be no reason for delaying the transfer of powers given the wide cross-party support they carry. And if we are successful in agreeing quick delivery of votes for16 and 17 year-olds in Holyrood elections, it will show how these things can be done swiftly and effectively.”

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The new Scottish Labour leader is Jim Murphy MP. Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale has become Deputy Leader and presumably she will take First Minister’s Questions on behalf of the Labour Party until Jim Murphy gets elected to Holyrood?

The other Edinburgh candidate Sarah Boyack was gracious in her defeat.

She warmly congratulated Jim Murphy as the New Scottish Labour Leader. She said outside the Emirates Arena:

“Jim has the hardest task of any our past leaders in reshaping our party from its very core to be fit for purpose. Nicola Sturgeon must be stopped in her tracks in her attempt to wipe us out, because Scotland needs a strong Labour Party with its feet firmly on the ground to re engage and build support with voters. Jim has my total support in doing that, and I will continue to serve the party 100%.

“I am obviously disappointed at not winning.   As the contest progressed, I realised that my support would be squeezed.   I have no regrets in standing however, and have enjoyed my part in creating a vibrant and constructive debate amongst members and setting out my vision for Scotland.    My aim was to bring my experience and substantial policy ideas to the party.  

“That is what I have done with my ‘100 ideas document’ and my wider contribution. The positive feedback I have had has been uplifting.”

Andrew Burns Campaign Manager said on behalf of her campaign team:

“We’ve been incredibly proud of the consistently positive and policy-led campaign that Sarah has undertaken. There is no question that she has raised the quality of the debate in this leadership process, and we look forward to Sarah continuing to play an important role in Scottish Labour Party policy implementation.

We’re extremely grateful to all those who encouraged Sarah to enter this contest, and to those who supported her throughout – it would undoubtedly have been a lesser process without her presence.”

There are some vacancies in the Scottish Labour team ahead of the General Election including a job here in Edinburgh. Read more here.

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To make it seem a little more like Christmas you could go to The Filmhouse today and luxuriate in watching It’s a Wonderful Life!

There will be two showings of the film today at 15:30 and 18:10.  Booking details here.

Go on why not? It’s (almost) Christmas.

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Next year is to be the UN Year of Light and the Royal Society of Edinburgh is holding a lecture in February to discuss the importance of light on our lives.

The United Nations has named 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies. This event will mark the Scottish launch of the International Year by exploring how light is fundamental to the existence of life on earth, and the ways in which it plays an increasingly important role in shaping our society through medicine, communications, entertainment and culture. Through a range of presentations, displays and exhibitions, the event will demonstrate how light is used in science and industry; how it impacts on modern society; and how it influences art and technology.

Booking details here.

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The auction held yesterday by former First Minister Alex Salmond of the gifts he was given while First Minister of Scotland raised over £42,000 for children’s charities. Read more here.