At SNP Conference in Aviemore on Saturday 27th October 2007, SNP delegates unanimously backed the YSI's resolution calling for votes at 16.
David Linden, YSI National Organiser and branch member, can be seen putting the case on this youtube video...
David McDonald, a Glasgow councillor and fellow branch member, seconded the resolution, which reads:
Conference re-affirms the party’s long standing support for reducing the voting age to 16 years old, an age where a young adult can get married, form a civil partnership, have children, pay tax, join the armed forces and much more but cannot vote.
Conference regrets that, despite being responsible for local government elections, the Scottish Government is prevented by the Scotland Act from reducing the voting age for local authority elections to 16 and ensuring that young people are given the real voice in our democracy that they deserve.
Conference calls on the Westminster Parliament to remove this reserved power from the Scotland Act to allow the Scottish Government full control over voting rights in Scottish local government elections.
The success of this resolution demonstrates that we, as an organisation, can have a significant impact on the youth of Scotland. We hope to continue this fight until the voting age is reduced to 16.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7065046.stm
Welcome
Glasgow YSI
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Monday, 4 February 2008
Why I support Scottish independence
I support Scottish Independence because I do not want my country to be associated in any way with the United Kingdom. I will not allow Scottish youth to be sent away to fight illegal wars on foreign soil. Scottish blood should never be spilled for the sake of oil. We have no time to be tied down to the United Kingdom's failings and misjudgements.
ID cards? Privatisation? Supporting Bush? This is not for us. We need peace and happiness. We need independence.
ID cards? Privatisation? Supporting Bush? This is not for us. We need peace and happiness. We need independence.
Conall McGinley , 16, Glasgow
Why I support Scottish independence
I support Scottish independence because I think it's only normal for anation to control its own affairs. Scotland is a distinctive country legally, culturally and politically, and it can only realise its full potential by being an independent country on the world stage. The people of Scotland do not want Trident on their doorstep, nor illegal wars in the Middle East, nor do they wish to see their natural resources being plundered without seeing any of the benefits.
Saor Alba!
Gregor Murray, Dundee, 20
Sunday, 3 February 2008
Why I believe in Independence for Scotland
I support Scottish independence because it will finally break the suffocating noose of Unionism that has burdened this country for far too long. Scotland is a nation with outstanding potential and vast resources. It was at one time an industrial powerhouse, a beacon of innovation and a true world leader in every sense. The contributions made by Scots to technology, science, philosophy, and politics have shaped the modern world. Yet this nation which has contributed so much is struggling to find its feet in the twenty-first century. These failings are perhaps most plainly illustrated by the fact that Scotland has the lowest long-term growth rate in the European Union over the last generation and the growth gap between Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom has increased to thirty percent. A declining population, poor business formation and the magnetic pull of London that drags its greatest minds and skills over the border generates an economy that lacks the fighting spirit needed to compete with its neighbours on the world stage. I believe that only full Scottish independence can rectify the current economic failings and provide the opportunities and responsibilities that are necessary to follow in the successful footsteps of other smaller independent nations around us. I therefore look forward to the day of a vibrant, prosperous and independent Scotland.
Usman Tariq, Glasgow.
Why I believe in Independence for Scotland...
I’m a firm believer in Scottish Independence, I’ve been trudging around doorsteps since I was eleven years old delivering SNP leaflets, working for the cause. Throughout my short but sweet nationalist life span I come up against the ridiculous arguments against Independence, and so often I read social network sites which have traditional comments such as:
“Im sorry, why do we need independance? Scotland benefits hugely from our pact with England. Why do we need to change this? Because some people dislike the idea of solidatity? Our prime minister is Scottish, we have Holyrood, disbanding the union will just weaken Scotland.”
Source: A bebo user posting on the Highland Young Scots for Independence page – January ‘08
Whilst most Unionists are happy to leave the question, I, a member of Young Scots for Independence am more than happy to answer the question. Firstly, before going any further I would like to make a point of clarification that it's Independence and not Independance – so many people believe they are qualified to argue against the concepts of Scottish Independence, yet cannot spell the word.
The reason I believe we need independence is because, currently under the Union a quarter of all Scottish Children live in poverty, as do one in five pensioners, oil revenues have been squandered for over thirty years, reports have been deliberately hidden to rubbish Independence. In areas, particularly like one of my local areas, Shettleston, life expectancy is the lowest at an average of not much older than 59! Under the Union we have only 9% of the 646 MP's in the UK Parliament to represent Scottish constituencies - but then again, that's democracy isn’t it. No, it’s just unionism – out of date, out of touch and three hundred years overstayed.
For the record we do not have a pact with England. It is a Union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Why do we need to change this I hear you say? Because Scotland is a nation, and a nation is better governed itself. Our prime minister is Scottish, you're correct. Also, 10% of all Nobel Prize winners in the world are Scottish. Some of the best inventors ever to live were Scottish. More often than not Scots are told we cannot achieve Independence; we couldn’t go it on our own. Well I challenge to ask you why?
Once you catch the Unionist off guard and ask them that question you’ll get around eleven and half seconds of stuttering then they’ll come back and say “Aye, but we cannae afford it”
So, we address that hit and miss statement aswell. For example:
Scotland has 8.6% of the UK’s population, but raises 10.4% of all British Tax revenues, Scotland alone contributed £9.632 billion to the UK Treasury. I think it’s safe to say an Independent Scotland would be better of using that money itself…
There is a lack of self-confidence in this nation; I blame this lack of confidence on 300 years of corruption, lies, and tyranny. Since May 2007, the SNP government in Holyrood have gone a long way to restoring Scots trust and confidence but our confidence will only be fully restored when the Independence of our country is rightfully restored.
We voted for devolution in 1997, then an SNP in government in 2007 but now, it’s not long, the finish line is in sight, and ill assure you know it won’t take till 2017 for Scots to wake up and smell the coffee – Independence is inevitable. Independence is coming our way like a meteor, only this country will not be hit by rock, it will be hit with the powers that we need to function as an Independent nation.
London dictation has no place in the political sound bytes sweeping through national politics anymore – it’s time we rose and became that nation again.
- David Linden – Glasgow branch of Young Scots for Independence
“Im sorry, why do we need independance? Scotland benefits hugely from our pact with England. Why do we need to change this? Because some people dislike the idea of solidatity? Our prime minister is Scottish, we have Holyrood, disbanding the union will just weaken Scotland.”
Source: A bebo user posting on the Highland Young Scots for Independence page – January ‘08
Whilst most Unionists are happy to leave the question, I, a member of Young Scots for Independence am more than happy to answer the question. Firstly, before going any further I would like to make a point of clarification that it's Independence and not Independance – so many people believe they are qualified to argue against the concepts of Scottish Independence, yet cannot spell the word.
The reason I believe we need independence is because, currently under the Union a quarter of all Scottish Children live in poverty, as do one in five pensioners, oil revenues have been squandered for over thirty years, reports have been deliberately hidden to rubbish Independence. In areas, particularly like one of my local areas, Shettleston, life expectancy is the lowest at an average of not much older than 59! Under the Union we have only 9% of the 646 MP's in the UK Parliament to represent Scottish constituencies - but then again, that's democracy isn’t it. No, it’s just unionism – out of date, out of touch and three hundred years overstayed.
For the record we do not have a pact with England. It is a Union with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Why do we need to change this I hear you say? Because Scotland is a nation, and a nation is better governed itself. Our prime minister is Scottish, you're correct. Also, 10% of all Nobel Prize winners in the world are Scottish. Some of the best inventors ever to live were Scottish. More often than not Scots are told we cannot achieve Independence; we couldn’t go it on our own. Well I challenge to ask you why?
Once you catch the Unionist off guard and ask them that question you’ll get around eleven and half seconds of stuttering then they’ll come back and say “Aye, but we cannae afford it”
So, we address that hit and miss statement aswell. For example:
Scotland has 8.6% of the UK’s population, but raises 10.4% of all British Tax revenues, Scotland alone contributed £9.632 billion to the UK Treasury. I think it’s safe to say an Independent Scotland would be better of using that money itself…
There is a lack of self-confidence in this nation; I blame this lack of confidence on 300 years of corruption, lies, and tyranny. Since May 2007, the SNP government in Holyrood have gone a long way to restoring Scots trust and confidence but our confidence will only be fully restored when the Independence of our country is rightfully restored.
We voted for devolution in 1997, then an SNP in government in 2007 but now, it’s not long, the finish line is in sight, and ill assure you know it won’t take till 2017 for Scots to wake up and smell the coffee – Independence is inevitable. Independence is coming our way like a meteor, only this country will not be hit by rock, it will be hit with the powers that we need to function as an Independent nation.
London dictation has no place in the political sound bytes sweeping through national politics anymore – it’s time we rose and became that nation again.
- David Linden – Glasgow branch of Young Scots for Independence
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