Hello,
In March 14-25 you will have the oppertunity to vote for your local Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament. I am standing for the new constituency of Glasgow Southside. In this manifesto you can read what I think are the top priorities for the constituency and nationally.
I believe that what Glasgow Southside needs is a MSYP who takes ideas forward and listens to young people. I do have ideas on what I think will be best for the area and what I would like to take to the SYP’s attention but what’s more important is that your ideas and suggestions get listened to and taken seriously. I am approachable and open minded in my views. I will make a commitment to take popular ideas that you have came up with and would push as hard as I can to see it through the body of the SYP and make a difference to you and all young people of Glasgow Southside.
Local Policy:
If I’m elected to be MSYP for Glasgow Southside I pledge to work with local high schools and colleges so that I can hear as many young people’s views as possible and act on them to the best of my ability. I would do this by having regular contact with student councils and other groups within the schools and colleges. I would also work with local youth groups and feed suggestions into local decision making panels so that I can take more ideas forward at a local level.
I will fight to ensure that local youth services continue operating as well as investment in new facilities where needed.
I want to work with young people across the constituency as more has to be done to help ethnic communities integrate with each other, especially areas in the constituency like Govanhill.
I promise to fight against the Glasgow City Council education cuts to ensure that young people get the best education possible.
I want to make sure that all young people feel safe to walk the streets. I will call for more police officers in areas of the constituency that need them.
National Policy:
All young people in Scotland should be allowed to vote when they are over 16. I will continue to fight for this on behalf of young people if elected.
I will continue to campaign to ensure that higher and further remains free in Scotland so that all young people have the opportunity to go to college and university without worrying about fees. Education should be based on ability not wealth.
I am strongly against Trident (Nuclear weapons). I believe that the 100 billion pounds spent on replacing trident should be halted immediately and the money put into protecting front line services.
If elected I would like to raise awareness about young carers in Scotland. I think that the Scottish Government and UK Government should try and do more for young Scottish carers who do a fantastic but hard and demanding job. If we give young carers in Scotland more help this would give the young person and who they are caring for a better quality of life. It is important that society looks after young carers in Scotland and make sure they get an equal start in life the same as everyone else.
Teenage pregnancies are a problem throughout Scotland. If the Scottish Government offers more help we can try to encourage young parents to stay in education so that they can give themselves and their child a better quality of life. I would like to see free or nominal charge crèches for young people in full and part time education.
I also believe that Scotland should become an independent sovereign nation while maintaining a social union with the rest of the UK. I think the question of Independence should be put forward to the people of Scotland through an independence referendum. I also believe that the voting age for this referendum should be open to all people that are 16 years of age and over.
These are the main things that I believe would benefit the young people in Glasgow Southside and throughout Scotland. If you have any questions or suggestions please email me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk
You can also visit my website at: www.austinmsyp.co.nr
Thanks,
Austin Sheridan
SYP Candidate for Glasgow Southside
