YOUTH ENGAGEMENT IN ELECTIONS
is clear. For too long, politics has been fed to people by institutions, politicians and Parliaments. Holyrood Rocks aims to turn this idea upside down. It is the first project of its kind in Scotland to take Parliament directly to the Scottish people, and in a way that is engaging, entertaining and creatively stimulating. For our young people, it is a way of getting involved in politics without having to participate in a party political fashion or listen to dry speeches or boring policy debates. It lets them know that Parliament is there for them, that they have a voice and that they should use it, to improve our democratic governance and to improve our country. It also lets our politicians know the strength and ability of our young people, something too often forgotten when it comes to election time when older people are far more likely to cast their vote. But this isn’t a top-down, centralised project. For each of the regional events, local youth, community and racial equality groups are involved in delivering these events, in addition to those organisations who assist those who have additional support needs, but nonetheless have a passion for music. These are events organised by young people for young people, regardless of racial, social or economic background to encourage political engagement
across the spectrum.
This is a project that could easily be replicated around the Commonwealth, but its origins were devised after our inspiring Independence Referendum in September 2015. For that referendum, 16 and 17 year olds were granted the right to vote, a first for our democracy, and their response was overwhelming. In a matter of months,
conversations in schools across the country were all about Scottish politics. Those who would have perhaps struggled to name their Member of the Scottish Parliament prior to the Referendum were suddenly
engaged, informed and ready to debate the merits and the risks of Scottish Independence. It was a glimpse into a future where our young people use their voice to contribute to our Parliamentary democracy and it was inspiring to us all.
Holyrood Rocks seeks to create debate, not division. Irrespective of whether people voted yes or no, whether they will vote for the Scottish National Party (SNP) or Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats or the Green Party in the upcoming Scottish elections, one thing is more vital and more important. Using their vote. Across the Commonwealth, we all have a long way to go to convince our young people that politics speaks for them. Holyrood Rocks is the first in a series of initiatives designed to rectify this. The reaction from our youngest voters has been overwhelmingly positive and all signs point to an increased youth voter turnout at the next election. But, this is just the beginning.
Not all Commonwealth countries have the momentum
Above: The ‘Holyrood Rocks’ project was launched by the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon MSP (centre) and the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and CPA Scotland Branch President, Tricia Marwick MSP (centre left).
and energy gained from an Independence Referendum to assist them, but I would urge every Parliament across our nations to seriously consider projects of this kind. After all, who better to engage our young people than young people themselves?
More information can be found about Holyrood Rocks at
www.scottish.parliament. uk/holyroodrocks or at www.
holyroodrocks.com. You can also follow
@holyroodrocks and visit www.
facebook.com/holyroodrocks.
References 1
Enhancing Youth Political Participation, UNDP 2012.
The Parliamentarian | 2015: Issue Three | 181
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