Fast Times in Glasgow Springburn...

It was a busy old week for Glasgow Springburn MSYP Julie Lennox as she grabbed her notebook at set out to track down several of the candidates in the UK Parliament by-election in her local area, Glasgow North East. She managed to interview five of the leading contenders, including the eventual winner Willie Bain.

A few days later, Julie showed her opposition to racism at the 'Scotland United' march in the city and wrote a report on the memorable event for www.syp.org.uk – read on for Julie’s tales from a busy week in her community!

Glasgow North East By-election

Julie - “As you would have all probably seen in the media last week there was a by-election held in Springburn which is me and Keenan Alexander’s constituency. As Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament we felt we couldn’t just sit back and do nothing. With the run up to the election fast approaching (about time as well after all Michael Martin did step down in June after the MPs expense scandal came out in the open!) we decided to try and contact as many of the standing candidates as possible to find out why they thought 18-25 year olds should go out and vote for them and of course what they intended to do for this age group if elected. There was thirteen standing candidates in this election and we managed to hunt down five of them, which given the time period we had wasn’t actually that bad. So here they are from Labour’s candidate Willie Bain, to Conservative’s candidate Ruth Davidson.”

Labour’s candidate Willie Bain said:

“This election is about who is the best person to stand up for Glasgow. As someone who was born and grew up in the constituency I have an excellent understanding of what the young people of Glasgow North East need.

“I know people here have concerns about job prospects and training and I will fight for more jobs and apprenticeships and support more rebuilding and refurbishment of higher and further education sites like the Labour funded North Glasgow College.

“This is opposed to the SNP candidate who disrespected one of Glasgow’s biggest educational establishments – describing Glasgow Caledonian University as not having a reputation to tarnish then claiming it was a joke.

“I hope young people in the constituency will see me as a voice for them and I urge them to take the time out to vote on Thursday.”

Independent candidate John Smeaton said:

“Vote for me in the Glasgow North East by-election because it is time for a
change. Labour has had 74 years to help the Glasgow North East area and yet
the deprivation continues.

“I will ensure the local issues, which affect people’s lives, are heard. I
plan to cut crime through more visible police presence, provide more
support for jobseekers with free public transport and ensure the spotlight
is firmly on Glasgow North East to encourage industry and investment.

“I will focus on providing young people with better learning, job and social
opportunities. Over the past few weeks, I have been actively involved with
the Reidvale Adventure Playground and we have been sponsoring local youth
football team, East End United. I am standing as an independent candidate, supported by the Jury Team. As an independent I will be able to cross political boundaries and will not be
held back by the constraints of party politics. If elected, I will work
with both the SNP government and the Labour Council to move forward on
issues and get something done for a change.

“You should vote for me because I am passionate about Glasgow North East and
its people. I will kick down doors and shake up parliament and help thepeople that politics has forgot. Use your vote to ensure that Glasgow North East will no longer be taken for
granted”.

Liberal Democrat candidate Eileen Baxendale said:

“Briefly we would like to see the voting age lowered to 16 years; the age
at which young people can join the armed forces, get full time work,
have their own homes, marry and have children. We feel that it makes
sense for young people who can have these responsibilties also to be
able to vote. I am keen to see young people involved more in politics. I was very
pleased that three of the people who signed my nomination form for this
by-election were young people; one about to vote for the first time.

“I have campaigned in this election for young people to have more
oportunities on leaving school. And I have put forward concrete Liberal
Democrat policies such as our internship scheme which would provide
800,000 new places (UK wide) for young people who have not found
employment or moved into to Further/Higher Education. No young person
should be left without such opportunities.

“Personally I have worked all my adult life with young people in all
sorts of settings and feel I have shown a real interest in the issues
that face today's young people. I also have grandchildren!

“We also have good policies to alter the unfair tax system and provide
better for pensioners. My experience is that young people care about
what happens to the older generation.

“I am a local Councillor over here in Rutherglen, where I live, and have
already been in touch with our local Youth Parliament reps to see if the
local Councillors can meet with them to hear their views. Should I be
elected for Glasgow North East I would love to meet with Youth Paliament
represtatives there”.

Scottish National Party candidate David Kerr said:

“This election is a real chance for voters to give this constituency a
fresh start.

“For young people this is your opportunity to vote for change, for an end
to 74 years of Labour.

“I believe ambition and opportunity are vital here and I’ve met hundreds of
young people on this campaign who have great ideas for their future and
the future of this constituency. I started out in Denniston and ended up
as a reporter at the BBC before becoming the SNP candidate here. I know
that young people here can achieve anything they set their minds too – as
MP my job will be to support those ambitions and to make sure this
constituency has the facilities, the investment in schools and colleges
and the jobs to ensure people can achieve their dreams”.

Conservative candidate Ruth Davidson said:

"Younger voters are often passionate about big issues facing our country and our planet. It is good that they engage in campaigns but I believe that every voter, whatever their age, should also think about voting in elections. The safety of the streets we live in, the schools, colleges and universities we learn at, the medical care we will all need and the jobs we do are all affected by the choices we make at the ballot box.

“My job is to make sure that when people leave school their education has prepared them for the wider world. That training opportunities exist though college, university, apprenticeships, and work. That each can make the most of their talents whether they are educational or vocational. And that when they need it, help and support is there for them. I want to get Glasgow back to work and the Conservatives will put sorting out Labour's jobs crisis at the top of our priorities”.

After the event…

Julie – “Keenan and I were happy with all candidates that we interviewed as they all seemed to take young people seriously. I am even more grateful that we now after almost 6 months actually have an MP (Labour’s Willie Bain who won by 59% of the vote) which we can take young peoples issues to and hopefully they will be taken seriously.

“Keenan, [Glasgow Govan MSYP] Austin Sheridan and I were in Starbucks yesterday having a chat about the election results, when in walks Willie Bain himself. He was very nice and came over to say a quick hello which turned into an hour and a half of discussion on what his plans are for our area - bet he didn’t expect that when he came in for a quiet coffee!

“He has plans to give Springburn Shopping Centre a much needed face lift which should bring in new businesses to the area. He also has young people high on the agenda and has plans to make sure that there will be good youth facilities in Dennistoun. He also says that he will not be claiming any expenses on food or take on a second home in London.”

Scotland United March

Julie – “There was a buzz about Glasgow Green today as thousands of people gathered together to send a clear message to the world that there is no room for fascism in our beautiful country. People of all races and religions both young and old stood united together before peacefully marching through the streets of the city centre, finishing in George square where a two minute silence was held for all those who have sadly died because of fascism.”