A by-election to choose East Lothian’s two newest Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) got underway at Dunbar Grammar School today (Thursday 18 September).
It is vital that our children and young people have a way to share their views, influence change and shape policies that affect them.
Seven candidates are standing to represent the county at the Scottish Youth Parliament. Voting will be held across all seven secondary schools to give young people the opportunity to cast their ballot.
The by-election was triggered by former candidates Olivia Brown and Finlay McIlwraith’s decisions to step down from their positions as they move away from East Lothian to attend university. The successful candidates will join Katie Fairfull as East Lothian’s three MSYP representatives. The next full election will be held in November 2026.
The by-election candidates are Maya Borkowski, Declan Chandran, Willow Dutton, Lily Kempton, Zidane Rafique, Summer Ramsay and Eliza Sardar.
Wide-ranging issues
Each candidate has developed a profile to highlight their experiences and the key issues they care about which is available from the Scottish Youth Parliaments election website. The issues are wide ranging and include education, health and wellbeing, youth work, transportation, democracy, equalities, culture and media, poverty and income inequality, employment and children’s rights.
East Lothian Council’s Cabinet member for Education and Children’s and Family Services Councillor Fiona Dugdale said: “I applaud anyone who puts themselves forward for election to make a difference in the lives of others.
“It is vital that our children and young people have a way to share their views, influence change and shape policies that affect them. We can see from the issues that candidates are campaigning on just how wide ranging the Scottish Youth Parliament’s involvement is.
“I wish all of the candidates luck in the by-election and encourage all of our young people to exercise their democratic rights and vote.”
Giving young people a platform
Scottish Youth Parliament is a charity providing young people in Scotland a voice and a platform to discuss and change things at a national level that affect them. It offers children and young people as it can give them a chance to change and influence law, campaign and share their views.
Voting will be held at:
- Dunbar Grammar School: 18 September and 6 October
- North Berwick High School: 19 and 23 September
- Knox Academy: 22 and 24 September
- Preston Lodge High School: 25 and 26 September
- Musselburgh Grammar School: 29 and 30 September
- Rosehill High School: 1 and 7 October
- Ross High School: 2 and 3 October
The by-election period closes on 7 October with announcement of the successful candidate expected by 10 October.
Information on the by-election and candidates is available from the Scottish Youth Parliament website.