Are you running an event which might interest young Labour Party members in Scotland? Maybe you’ve got some local campaigning going on, or a policy event, or just need some help getting young members to attend the local CLP meeting – we can help. This year Scottish Young Labour wants to make even more use of our official communication channels so that we can help our members get involved not only in the youth section of the party, but in the wider movement as well. With well over 500 followers on Twitter and a fast growing number of subscribers to our Facebook page, we’ve got some great ways to promote your events (for free!).

If you think we could help you promote something then please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Drop us an email at publicity@scottishyounglabour.org or tweet us at @scotsyounglab with the details of your event and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Scottish Young Labour and Scottish Labour Students are proud to announce their support for those workers and organisations taking industrial action on November 30th.

With University lecturers, teachers and public sector workers taking industrial action across Scotland to protect their pensions and ultimately their livelihoods, it important that we acknowledge the hugely positive effects these individuals have on the young people of Scotland and in recognition of these facts support them at this difficult time.

As ConDem and SNP cuts eat away at our public services these pensions proposals shift an unfair financial burden on to those in our society who work to ensure a bright and prosperous future for Scotland’s students and young people.

These strikes are the only way some of the youngest workers have a chance to express their anger over the future of their own pensions and the pensions of their families. When we increase the contributions to pay for Osbourne’s deficit reduction we lay a heavy financial burden on those just starting to make their way in the jobs market.

Many of Scotland’s best and brightest young graduates go on to work in our schools, hospitals and public services and these proposals present a serious threat to future economic and holistic wellbeing of those graduates who chose to use work in the public interest.

Darren Young, Chair of Scottish Young Labour said:

As the youth of the party we wholeheartedly endorse the stance being taken by our colleagues up and down the country. The savage cuts being implemented by the UK government and then fed down from the Scottish Government are driving more people out of work and are destroying our public services.The fact that our colleagues have to strike goes to show the lack of understanding by the coalition government. We must protect those who are vulnerable in society and not push them into poverty when they retire.

And Lewis Miller, Chair of Scottish Labour Students said:

I am proud that Scottish Labour Students will be standing alongside people fighting for their pensions as we understand that the livelihoods of many will be harmed by these cuts.
In a time where some of the most vulnerable people are falling into poverty, attacking public sector pensions holds no benefit to our society whatsoever. The fact that people are being forced to strike shows the lack of understanding the Coalition Government are showing towards the retired.

Yesterday, supporting nominations for the Scottish Labour Leadership closed; and on that list, for the first time ever, Young Labour’s name appears.

Changes made through Refounding Labour, and agreed on at Annual Conference 2011, have meant that Young Labour nationally now have the right to endorse leadership candidates with a supporting nomination.

There have been changes made in Scotland too.  Proposals put forward by the Review of Labour in Scotland and agreed at a Special Conference of the Scottish Labour Party, mean that for the first time we will be electing a Leader and Deputy Leader of the whole Party in Scotland.  This makes these Leadership elections even more important for the Party, especially coming after our defeat in May.

This is why I am proud that Scottish Young Labour has been the first Young Labour group to use these new rights. Our membership reflects the whole Party; encompassing young people still in school, students at university, young trades unionists and young workers.  These new rights make sure that the candidates listen to what we have to say, and that we, in turn, can properly engage with the election process.

While Constituency Labour Parties, affiliated organisations, such as trades unions and Scottish Labour Students, and now Scottish Young Labour can make supporting nominations for the candidates we recommend it is important to point out that every member will receive a ballot paper and cast their own individual vote.

Yesterday, the Scottish Young Labour committee voted to endorse Johann Lamont MSP for Leader.  We recognise that Johann shares our concern about our future prospects as young people in Scotland today.  Our support makes clear that Johann is the candidate with the best vision for Scotland’s young people and Labour’s future.

Scottish Young Labour have also given their supporting nomination to Anas Sarwar MP for Deputy Leader.  We are confident that Anas understands we must transform our Party and that we must rebuild and reconnect with the people of Scotland.  We know that Anas has the energy and determination that is needed to beat the Tories and the SNP.

However the race is not over yet. Now we enter the hustings and balloting stage of the elections.  We are hosting our own youth hustings at our annual conference this weekend, where delegates will have the chance to put questions directly to all of the candidates.

The result of the Leader and Deputy Leader elections will be announced on 17^th December. Whatever the outcome, we know that the process has been a massive step forward for our youth movement.

Helen Stephen – Chair of Scottish Young Labour