Austin Sheridan MYP welcomes new Govanhill Youth Hub

Austin Sheridan MYP welcomes the new Govanhill Youth Hub that will be set up by the end of this month. The hub is being provided by Glasgow Life which will be used by a wide range of youth groups in the South East of Glasgow for free. Austin Sheridan's MSYP & MYP offices will be based in the youth hub by July.

Austin Sheridan said "I think this will be a fantastic and well used facility that has been long needed in Govanhill. It is based within an area with more than it's fair share of social problems which have an negative effect on young people. I hope that the new hub will benefit the majority of young people in the area and help break down some of the barriers between different ethnic groups that exist"

If you have any questions please email Austin Sheridan at:

austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk


Posted by Austin Sheridan MYP

Re-elect Nicola Sturgeon for Glasgow Southside - Alex Salmond for First Minister

Only 7 days till the people of Scotland go to the polls to decide who will form the Scottish Government for the next 5 years.

I am voting Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP candidate in Glasgow Southside, for my constituency MSP and will be voting Scottish National Party (SNP) 'Alex Salmond for First Minister' for my regional vote.

Out of the 4 party leaders I believe that Alex Salmond is the best person to lead Scotland for the next 5 years. He has a good record, a good team and vision that is good for Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon is the best person to represent Glasgow Southside in the Scottish Parliament. She has a fantastic record as the constituency MSP for the former Glasgow Govan seat and is well known for her hard work in the communities that she has represented for the past 4 years. Glasgow Southside doesn't need another invisible politician. Glasgow Southside needs a strong representative. Nicola can do just that.

This election is about who will Govern Scotland for the next 5 years. Make sure you re-elect a competent Government that works for you. Vote SNP in both the constituency and regional votes.

On May 5, Be part of better, Vote SNP

Together we can make Scotland better. http://www.snp.org/

Posted by Austin Sheridan.

New Glasgow MSYP-Elect Group Meets For First Time

The New MSYP-Elects met officially for the first time on Wednesday. Current MSYPs will represent their seats until the 11th of June when the new MSYP-Elects take up their new seats. Current MSYPs Austin Sheridan, Keenan Alexander, Rae Cahill and Craig Whyteside will continue to represent their current seats and will continue on as MSYPs in the new redrawn constituencies that they have been elected to represent. Current MSYPs that did not seek re-election or lost their election will stand down on the 11th of June.

I am pleased that I have been re-elected for a second term. I have done lots in the past two years as the MSYP for Glasgow Govan and I can do a lot more as the MSYP for the new seat which covers 60% of my old constituency, Glasgow Southside, over the next two years.

The Current MSYPs and the MSYP-Elects discussed the idea of a Glasgow Youth Council which I proposed back in 2009 when I was first elected. Over the past two years the current MSYPs worked with Glasgow City Council drawing up plans to implement a Glasgow Youth Council. Now we are in a position to implement it which I hope will be done within the next 6 months.

I have also been spending time getting to know the new areas that I will be taking in for when I become the Glasgow Southside MSYP. It has been very interesting speaking with community groups in the new areas getting an idea of the issues that local people face. It has taken a bit of time as 40% of Glasgow Southside is new to me.

If you have any questions please email me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk



Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP.

Are You Using Your Vote?

The Scottish General Election will be held on May 5. If you are registered to vote this is your opportunity to vote to decide who will be your local MSP (Constituency MSP) and your 7 Regional MSPs. You can register to vote if you are over 16 but can not vote until you are 18. Please follow this link for more information about voter registration. Use your vote, make sure your views are heard! http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/voter-registration If you live in the new Glasgow Southside constituency, your candidates to become your constituency MSP are: Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish National Party (SNP) David Meikle, Conservative Stephen Curran, Labour Kenn Elder, Liberal Democrats Glasgow Regional List (you vote for a political party or independent) Scottish National Party (SNP), Alex Salmond for First Minister All Scotland Pensioners Party Scottish Conservative Party Scottish Labour Party British National Party Scottish Pirate Party Scottish Liberal Deomcrats Scottish Socialist Party Scottish Unionist Party Socialist Labour Scottish Christian Party Scottish Green Party Respect (Scotland) UKIP Scottish Homeland Party Independant (Caroline Johnstone) Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP.

Austin Sheridan MSYP Supports London Protest

Austin Sheridan MSYP for Glasgow Govan has said that he supports the protests that are taking place in London today. The protest march against the UK Government cuts is expected to attract around 300,000 people.

Austin Sheridan said "Today we will see the REAL big society take action on the streets of London. Even though I can not make it I know that many wish to send their best wishes to the protesters that can't attend, including myself. In my role as an MSYP I have spoken against National Citizens service, the Big Society and the bombshell VAT rise. I have spoken against them and every time a large majority of MSYPs vote against the UK Government's measures with me, now we need to see MPs do the same, in particular the Lib-Dem MPs. If they don't they will, and should, be punished at the ballot box in every upcoming election"

If you have any questions please email Austin Sheridan at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP's Office.

SYP Launch Manifesto 'Change The Picture'

The Scottish Youth Parliament launched it's manifesto 'Change The Picture' at the Parliament's sitting this weekend which was hosted by Inverclyde Council.

I support most of the 49 Manifesto points that were passed by MSYPs then a massive consultation with 42,804 young people. Well ahead our target of 15,000 young people.

Here I will list the top 10 manifesto points that received the support of over 50% of MSYPs and young people consulted. I will mark in percentage the support the commitments I list received from the 42,804 young people we consulted.

These are in order of priority:

1. 'A referendum should be held on Scotland's constitutional future, with the options of no change, more powers for the Scottish Parliament or full independence.

For: 66%
Against: 14%
Not Sure: 20%

2. 'The Trident nuclear missile system should not be replaced, and no part of the existing or new systems should be located in Scotland or in Scottish waters.'

For: 61%
Against: 18%
Not Sure: 21%

3. 'Tuition should remain free in further and higher education. Top-up fees are not an option for a society which puts ability to learn above ability to pay.'

For: 85%
Against: 6%
Not Sure: 9%

4. 'The success of Scotland's students must not be compromised by financial worries. Immediate action needs to be taken to ensure students don't face poverty and hardship in pursuit of their education.'

For: 84%
Against: 6%
Not Sure: 10%

5. 'Government has a responsibility to encourage more people to actively participate in politics. It is particularly important that constituency candidates reflect the people they represent, including women and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Political parties should be encouraged to stand candidates aged 25 and under in winnable seats.'

For: 70%
Against: 12%
Not Sure: 18%

6. 'The minimum age for voting in all elections and referendums should be lowered to 16.'

For: 65%
Against: 25%
Not Sure: 10%

7. 'Scotland's local tax system should be changed so that it is based on household income rather than the value of your home or the area you live in.'

For: 76%
Against: 11%
Not Sure: 13%

8. Corner's inquests, that would allow investigations into death of Scots overseas, should be introduced in Scotland.'

For: 83%
Against: 6%
Not Sure: 11%

9. 'Young carers in Scotland should be shown that they are appreciated members of society and should be offered more support inside and outside of education. The Scottish Government should produce a Young Carers strategy to help improve the lives of young people who are young carers for the benefit of every single young person who cares in Scotland.'

For: 88%
Against: 6%
Not Sure: 6%

10. 'The solutions to solving knife crime lie in working with young people to tackle the root causes, not by imposing mandatory sentences on those caught carrying a knife.'

For: 57%
Against: 28%
Not Sure: 15%

Well, these are the top 10 that I personally like. The full 49 Manifesto statements can be found here: www.syp.org.uk



Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP.

New Glasgow Southside constituency office

From the 25th of March I will be operating from a new office in the Gorbals area where I will carry out my MSYP duties as the Member for Glasgow Southside after the election on the 25th of March.

My current Glasgow Govan MSYP constituency office will close on the 31st of March.

Until the 25th of March please contact me using my Glasgow Govan MSYP constituency office.

________________________________

Glasgow Govan MSYP constituency office (closing on the 31st of March)

Austin Sheridan MSYP
Constituency Office
Glasgow Life
Pavilion 2
Rowan Business Park
5 Ardlaw Street
Glasgow
G51 3RR

Glasgow Southside MSYP constituency office (opens on the 25th of March)

Austin Sheridan MSYP
Constituency Office
Glasgow Life
Adelphi Centre
12 Commercial Road
Glasgow
G5 0PQ

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP.