Elected MSYPS begin to represent youngsters

Monklands has new Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYPS).

Airdrie & Shotts will be represented by Kayla Gardner and Phoenix Lynn, and Coatbridge & Chryston by Dean Collins and Anna Porteous.

Young people aged 12 to 25 had the chance during the past month to vote on who should represent them at the youth parliament.

The election results for the North Lanarkshire seats were announced Airdrie’s @Home Youth Centre, with the area commended for achieving the largest total number of voters in a local authority.

The winning candidates secured more than 8500 votes between them, with Kayla, Phoenix, Dean and Anna being joined by in neighbouring constituencies by Emma Prach and Shafa Waqas (Cumbernauld & Kilsyth), Malaikah Ahmed and Lucy Smith (Motherwell & Wishaw) and Ash Mcguire (Uddingston & Bellshill).

A spokesman for North Lanarkshire Council said: “Congratulations to all the candidates and to everyone who took part in the process.

“All candidates are encouraged to continue all the work they did during their campaigns and to maintain their involvement in local youth participation, through their youth voice or other youth groups.”

Unaffiliated to any political parties, but concerned with improving the lives of their constituents, MSYPS are involved in various campaigns and youth events.

New roles (back, l-r) Malaikah Ahmed and Lucy Smith, MSYPS for Motherwell and Wishaw; Dean Collins and Anna Porteous, MSYPS for Coatbridge and Chryston; Kayla Gardner and Phoenix Lynn, MSYPS for Airdrie and Shotts; (front, l-r) Ash Mcguire, MSYP for Uddingston and Bellshill; and Shafa Waqas and Emma Prach, MSYPS for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth