Background: Members Motion Topics

At the Sitting, MSYPs will debate four Members Motions. Depending on whether the membership decides to vote in favour of them, these could become SYP policy and even be submitted as petitions to the Scottish Parliament. To find out more about the Members Motions process click here. Below is some background info on the four very different issues that will be discussed at the March Sitting.

Compulsory political education should be provided in all schools in Scotland.

Rowena Carlton MSYP (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber)

At the last Sitting in September MSYPs put together a ‘Charter of Young People’s Participation’ packed with ideas that could help young people engage with the political process. The SYP strongly believes in Votes at 16 and thinks that tackling the reasons why young people don’t vote is an important step on the way to making that happen. Young people often tell us that “I don’t know enough about politics to vote!”

Rowena says “I think compulsory political education is very important for high schools, and it ties in with the Votes at 16 campaign. I don't think as many 16 and 17 year olds know about politics as there probably should be, especially if we are to be voting. We should know some background into politics if we are to make a good, well informed decision. This issue massively affects young people, and we should be able to have a say in what we are taught.”

While it relates more to schools in England, this idea was one that was put forward for the Power2010 campaign’s bid to create “a new politics”. You can find out more info by clicking here.

Mosquito devices should be banned.

Andrew Deans MSYP (West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine)

The ‘Mosquito’ is a device that makes an unpleasant high-pitched noise that only those under 25 can hear. It’s designed to stop groups of young people gathering outside shops and public places. Although they are only supposed to be used for about ten minutes at a time, it is widely acknowledged - even by the company that makes them - that The Mosquito is not always used in this way and is left on permanently which is just not acceptable. You can find out more about the 'Mosquito' by clicking here.

Andrew says “The use of ‘Mosquitos’, predominantly by shopkeepers, is discriminatory, counter-effective, has health effects and causes severe discomfort, especially to those with autism who find the noise emitted incredibly distressing. It is a form of collective punishment of all young people, which serves only to shift any problems and at the same time alienate young people. Instead, positive solutions, where shopkeepers, the police and young people all work together, should be used to solve loitering problems.”

Andrew has been campaigning against the ‘Mosquito’ for some time now and has been featured in the Press & Journal – click here to read the article - and written an article for SYP News! Issue 23 which you can read by clicking here.

Exam leave should be given for prelims in all schools in Scotland.

Rebbecca Garnett MSYP (West Renfrewshire) and Megan Wallace MSYP (Paisley South)

While some schools in Scotland give exam leave for prelims, others don’t. One of those that don’t is Rebbecca’s school, Park Mains High in Erskine, Renfrewshire. Rebbecca thought this was unfair and has set up a petition to have it restored. You can find more info by clicking here.

In some areas (e.g. schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire) exam leave is given for all prelims, but Rebbecca’s school is not the only one that doesn’t grant it – in fact a similar petition has been launched at Mearns Castle High in East Renfrewshire. More info can be found by clicking here.

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.

Jodie Campbell MSYP (Paisley North)

Around 10% of Scotland’s young people are young carers. This means that they look after a family member or friend who might be ill, disabled or be dependent on drugs or alcohol. Young carers are particularly well-represented amongst our membership with 16% of MSYPs telling us that someone relies on them for day-to-day care and attention.

In the run up to the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections, an alliance of organisations representing carers produced the Carers’ Manifesto. This called for a number of actions by decision-makers including ensuring that young carers have the right to be a child first, for them to receive regular and appropriate breaks from caring and carer training to help them with their role. You can read more about the Carers’ Manifesto by clicking here.