The number of young people campaigning to stand for Edinburgh in the Scottish Youth Parliament has increased by 50 per cent, it was announced today. This year Edinburgh is fielding 27 candidates, up from 18 last year, who are competing for 12 seats in Edinburgh.
Established the day before the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) represents 14-23 year olds across the country. Up to 150 young members are elected to represent young people in their local area.
The SYP, legally a limited company, is an important forum for young people to address a range of issues whether it be relating to families, schools, local authorities, community councils, governments or employers. It meets three times a year at different locations, including the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh youth candidates represent Council, and independent schools, colleges and universities. They are competing for 12 seats across six city areas: Central, Eastern, Northern & Leith, Pentlands, Southern and Western.
With advice from the Council’s Youngedinburgh team, the Edinburgh candidates are now starting 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 at www.facebook.com/SYPEdinburgh
The Candidates
Central Edinburgh
- Charlie Brinkhurst Cuff / Broughton HS
- Chris Glendinning / George Heriot’s School
- Winnie Wen / Stevenson College
- Finlay Young / Fettes College
Eastern Edinburgh
- Billy Foreman / Holy Rood HS
- Natalie Maceira / Holy Rood HS
- Ryan Ross / Portobello HS
Northern Edinburgh & Leith
- Chanel Alexander / Telford College
- Terri Miller / Telford College
- Kelley Temple / University of Strathclyde
- Fiona Scott / Telford College
Pentlands
- Gael Anderson / Currie Community HS
- Sara Ansari / Firrhill HS
- Ross Arthur / Royal HS
- Rhiannon Lee / Currie Community HS
- Paul Murphy / Heriot-Watt University
- Michael Shearer - in employment
- Paul Sloan / Telford College
Southern Edinburgh
- Malcolm Boyd / James Gillespie’s HS
- Nathan Duncan / Boroughmuir HS
- Lindsay Hunter / University of Stirling
- Robin Quinn / George Watson’s College
- Eilidh Still / Boroughmuir HS
Western Edinburgh
- John Beaton / Queensferry High School
- John Bendo / St Augustines
- Jahura Hussain / Royal High School
- Tom Quinn / Craigmount High School