RGU:Union's Guide to the Scottish Elections

On Thursday 5th May 2016, elections shall take place for the Scottish Parliament. This is your chance to have your say on who you want running the Scottish Government. Many of you may have decided already who you would like to vote for, however, for those of you who have not decided quite yet, this is an easy guide to the elections taking place this week.

 

 

Who can vote?

Any resident in Scotland, who is over the age of sixteen, and is from the UK, EU or Commonwealth. You must be registered to vote and on the electoral register. All students should have received a registration letter a few months ago, and should now have also received a polling card, detailing where you have to go to vote on the 5th May.

 

How do I vote?

If you haven't opted for a specific type of vote (such as proxy or postal vote), then all you have to do is go along to your polling station from 7am - 10pm on Thursday 5th May. You don't need your polling card, just say your name and postcode to the polling staff. You'll receive your ballot papers, and simply have to make your vote. You'll get two votes in the election, one for a constituency MSP (your local area) and one for a region MSP (the wider area).

 

 

Why should I vote?

This election is a chance for you to make sure that students voices are heard. The Scottish Parliament is responsible for devolved issues, which included education, along with health, housing, law and order and more. There will be 129 MSPs elected who will make decisions that will affect you each day.

 

The National Union of Students, and RGU:Union, is fighting for fairer support for students as part of our #ShapingScotlandsFuture campaign. Our three priorities are:

 

1. improved bursary support for college students,
2. year round support for university students with increase grants and reduced debt,
3. better support for students will ill mental health.

 

If any of these priorities interest you, a number of parties are in support of the policies which matter to students.

Click here to find out which!

 

 

Who do I vote for?

There are several main parties in this election. Who you vote for depends on where you live, but this is a rough guide to some of the main parties and the information you need to find out their policies. Click on ‘Manifesto’ or ‘Candidates’ to find out about these parties.

 

 

Conservatives	Green Party	Labour	Liberal Democrats	SNP
A Strong Opposition	A better Scotland needs a bolder Holyrood.	Invest in Scotland’s Future: Both Votes Labour	Be the best again	Together we can move Scotland forward
Leader: Ruth Davidson	Leader: Patrick Harvie	Leader: Kezia Dugdale	Leader: Willie Rennie	Leader: Nicola Sturgeon
MANIFESTO	MANIFESTO	MANIFESTO	MANIFESTO	MANIFESTO
CANDIDATES	CANDIDATES	CANDIDATES	CANDIDATES	CANDIDATES

 

Who are the candidates?

For each of the main parties, there will be candidates in the area you live.

 

Aberdeen Central
	Conservatives	Tom Mason
	Labour	Lewis MacDonald
	Liberal Democrats	Ken McLeod
	Scottish National Party	Kevin Stewart

 

Aberdeen Donside
	Conservatives	Liam Kerr
	Labour	Greg Williams
	Liberal Democrats	Isobel Davidson
	Scottish National Party	Mark McDonald

 

Aberdeen South and North Kincardine
	Conservatives	Ross Thomson
	Labour	Alison Evison
	Liberal Democrats	John Waddell
	Scottish National Party	Maureen Watt

 

Aberdeenshire East

Aberdeenshire West

 

If you would like to know more about the Scottish Parliament Elections, all you have to do is click here.

 

What about the EU Referendum?

On Thursday 23^rd June, the UK Government is holding a referendum on whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. This is a separate vote to the Scottish Parliament Elections. If you are a British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, and are over 18 and registered to vote, you will be entitled to a vote. EU students are not entitled to a vote. If you would like to know more: click here, or visit the campaign pages below.

 

Remain in the EU	Britain Stronger in Europe
Leave the EU	Vote Leave