Candidates sought for Scottish Youth Parliament by-election

Young people in East Lothian are being encouraged to stand as a candidate for the Scottish Youth Parliament by-election to make a real difference to other people's lives.

Scottish Youth Parliament is a charity that gives young people in Scotland a voice and a platform to discuss and change things at a national level that affect them. The Scottish Youth Parliament is really important to children and young people as it can give them a chance to change and influence law, campaign and share their views. They also collaborate with charities which gives the parliament a huge range of people with so many different backgrounds.

Giving children a voice at national level

“The Scottish Youth Parliament is a great thing to give children a voice at national level. It is also one way that young people can exercise their rights,” says Emma Laverie from Connected Communities. She points to some of the amazing things that the Scottish Youth Parliament has been involved with over the years, including free bus travel for under 22 year-olds and free period products in toilets, which are really making a difference.

East Lothian is allowed three MSYPs (Members of Scottish Youth Parliament) for the area. Olivia Brown, who is also the vice chair of The Scottish Youth Parliament, and Katie Fairfull are both MSYPs and, following Finlay McIlwraith’s decision to step down from the position, a by-election is being held to fill the vacancy and to elect a third MSYP until the next full election in 2026.  Finlay loved the role and says: “Being an MSYP is an amazing opportunity. It’s a great space to hear different lived experiences and meet lots of different young people who have decided to do this unique thing.”

Find out more!

MSYP candidates need to be between 14 and 25 years old. Find out more:

• from the Scottish Youth Parliament website
• by emailing Connected Communities

Applications close on 12 June 2025.