TWO young people from Helensburgh are hoping to win the backing of their peers as they aim to become the next person to represent the area in the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Stephanie Thomas, who has been Helensburgh and Lomond's member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) since 2015, is joined on the ballot paper this year by Lomond School pupil Benedict Ray.

Voting opened on Friday, March 3, and the closing date for votes is Friday, March 17.

Stephanie told the Advertiser: “I want to be an MSYP because of my continued interest in youth work. I understand the way the SYP works, and I enjoy standing for young people's rights to a voice.

“The best way to consult with young people is to talk to them and use social media. I plan to interact with them on Facebook and Twitter, and to also have surgeries and drop in talk sessions and work shops.

“I am a strong voice for young people with my continued interest in the area of young people's rights. Also I have two years of experience and I am very able to continue in my role as an MSYP to stand for your voice.”

To vote in the SYP elections, you must be aged between 12 and 25 and be a Young Scot card holder – though if you don't have a Young Scot card at present, and want to take part in the election, you can get a temporary card number by calling Roanna Clark, Argyll and Bute's Young Scot co-ordinator, on (01546) 604752.

Benedict (or Beni), a 17-year-old S5 pupil at Lomond School, said: “I never really knew about the Scottish Youth Parliament until they came to our school looking for people who would be interested in becoming candidates – and I immediately thought this was something I wanted to do.

“I've often heard candidates say they want to give people a voice, but not many are able to make a change to young people's lives, and that's something I'm really keen to do.

“The prospect of being able to change the country at a young age is daunting as there are so many possibilities with what can happen. I want to be an MSYP because I feel like it is something that I would not only enjoy but take great pride in.

“People should vote for me as I'm honest and want to try and help the people of Helensburgh and the surrounding area.

“I admit, I am not an expert in anything, I am just good at a lot of things. My plans and ideas are set out in a realistic layout with the thoughts and opinions of my constituency and country being the sole focus of their effect.

“I want to change the area of Helensburgh for the better and help as many people as possible on my journey.”

Each Scottish Parliament constituency has two MSYPs, with the Dumbarton constituency returning one young person for the Helensburgh and Lomond area and one for Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven.

The SYP's lobbying helped bring about a policy change allowing young people aged 16 and 17 to vote in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, and in all subsequent Scottish parliament and local government elections.

The SYP also campaigned successfully for the age of criminal responsibility in Scotland to be raised from eight to 12.

More recently, ten MSYPs met the Scottish Government's cabinet on February 28 – a historic event which is now set to become an annual meeting.

For more information on candidates standing for election, and details on how to place your vote, visit www.syp.org.uk/stand4syp.