Students from Buckie and Forres to represent Moray at Scottish Youth Parliament
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
STUDENTS from Buckie and Forres will represent Moray in the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Isla Palmer, from Buckie High School, and Ben Stewart, formerly of Forres Academy and now a student at Stirling University, were elected and became Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) this year.
The election, which ran in Moray from January 15 to 26, 2024, was open for all young people aged 12 to 26.
Education, youth work and anti-social behaviour were the focal points of Isla Palmer's campaign.
She said: “I have seen first-hand the young people that have got lost through the education system and the people not getting recognition for their hard work and commitment within the community.
"I want to make a better and brighter future for everyone. It’s important that each person feels valid and gets the guidance and help they are deserving of.”
Ben Stewart, who has been a community councillor since he turned 16, focused his campaign on rights, education, poverty and income inequality.
He added: “I want to be an MSYP as I’m deeply passionate about being a representative of young people.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to enact positive change and can enable me to bring issues that are important to young people to the surface and allow them to be tackled head-on.”
The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) is the democratically-elected voice of Scotland’s young people.
Around 160, 14–25-year olds are elected every two years to represent every part of Scotland and campaign for positive change.
Moray Council’s Youth Work Team support the two MSYP’s to engage with young people in Moray and take forward issues and views to local and national decision makers.
Council leader Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative) said: “Congratulations to both Isla and Ben for this amazing achievement.
"It’s great to see the young people of Moray getting involved in the Scottish Youth Parliament and striving to make a difference in the community.”
