You have until April 20th to register to vote for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election. Anyone aged 16 and over and living in Scotland can vote, including international students! So why should you vote?
On May 7th, Scotland looks to shake up Holyrood for the first time in five years, electing a new set of politicians who will make decisions shaping residents’ lives. Since Scotland gained powers in the devolution process of the ‘90s and early ‘00s, Holyrood makes decisions on healthcare, education, public transport, and other local matters.
National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland’s student manifesto calls for enshrining free university tuition as a permanent right for all Scots. It advocates that student loans and grants are increased in line with inflation, for free buses and ferries for students, 50% off rail, and more protections for minorities and international students.
The manifesto calls for a new regulatory framework for universities, and an end to “unreasonably high” senior management pay. On housing, the student manifesto calls for ending guarantorship requirements for renters, and bolstering rights for those in student accommodations.
“It feels like we aren’t hearing ambition and ideas for positive change from our politicians, and we’re tired,” says Sai Viswanathan, President of NUS Scotland, as the election looms.
So how do Holyrood elections work? 129 total Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are decided by two ballot papers: one for the constituency election where voters mark the candidate of their choice. Old Aberdeen campus and Hillhead Student Village fall under the Aberdeen Central constituency, while those living in the city’s North come under Donside and those in the South come under Deeside and North Kincardinshire. The second ballot paper is for the regional election (e.g. North East Scotland), where voters choose the party or independent candidate.
So who will you vote for? Keep reading to know who’s standing:
Scottish National Party
Aberdeen Central - Jack Middleton Aberdeen Donside - Jackie Dunbar Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardinshire - Stephen Flynn
The SNP was born from the fight for Scottish independence. Aberdeen has traditionally been a stronghold for the SNP and with the party’s goal of securing a parliamentary majority to achieve an independence referendum, they will be relying upon the 3 Aberdeen seats to secure that. In 2021, they won all 3 seats, however, current MSPs Kevin Stewart and Audrey Nicoll are standing down, giving way to Jack Middleton, current special advisor to the First Minister, for Aberdeen Central and Stephen Flynn, current SNP leader in Westminster, for Aberdeen Deeside and Kincardinshire. Backbencher Jackie Dunbar looks to hold onto her 9000 vote majority that she secured back in 2021.
Scottish Labour
Aberdeen Central - Jenny Laing Aberdeen Donside - Lynn Thompson Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardinshire - Matthew Lee
Scottish Labour stands as a centre-left party, with a separate manifesto from the UK Labour party. Scottish Labour candidates are likely to distance themselves from controversy surrounding their leader, Anas Sarwar, after he publicly announced his lack of confidence in PM Starmer. Lynn Thompson stands as the only Labour candidate who stood in the 2021 election, however, Jenny Laing is a prominent political figure in the North East after leading Aberdeen City Council for over eight years. She returned to politics after witnessing her late husband die in a public hospital, stating: “I saw firsthand the crisis we’ve got within our NHS.” Matthew Lee, PhD graduate from University of Aberdeen, stands in his first ever election.
Scottish Conservatives and Unionist Party
Aberdeen Central - Stewart Whyte Aberdeen Donside - Hannah Powell Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardinshire - Liam Kerr
The Scottish Conservatives are likely to prioritise tax cuts, focusing on the NHS, and deterring away from the independence debate. After a disastrous vote share collapse in the 2024 general election, new candidates will be hoping to regain some of their lost voters. Hannah Powell and Stewart Whyte stand for the first time, Powell being a local councillor and Whyte a school teacher. Liam Kerr is seeking re-election after winning a North East regional seat in 2021, but faces stiff competition from Stephen Flynn, SNP Westminster leader.
Scottish Liberal Democrats
Aberdeen Central - Yi-Pei Chou Turvey Aberdeen Donside - Michael Turvey Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardinshire - Mel Sullivan
Traditionally seen as the ‘centrist party’, Scottish Lib Dems have long lasting emphasis on the importance of local communities, which has seen them win seats in the North East regional ballot paper previously. Scottish Lib Dems have never won an Aberdeen constituency seat in Scottish Parliament. Husband-and-wife pair Michael Turvey and Yi-Pei Chou have strong roots in the region, standing in several previous elections in different constituencies. Councillor Mel Sullivan looks to her presence in the constituency as councillor of North Kincardineshire to her advantage as she stands for the first time.
Scottish Greens
The Scottish Greens, an eco-socialist party, aim to highlight climate and social justice issues. They will not be prioritising the constituency ballot paper, instead hoping to gain MSPs seats through the regional ballot paper. In 2021, local activist Maggie Chapman won the Greens a seat in the North East region. However, with Guy Ingerson taking first place on the regional list ballot, her chances of re-election have significantly dropped. They have announced seven candidates standing in the regional list, including Remi Salvan, a second-year student at Aberdeen.
Reform UK
Hoping to continue their national momentum, Reform UK is arriving late to the party, with currently no candidates for the regional list or the constituency ballot announced. With aims to curb immigration, strengthen the UK’s borders and cut taxes, they have caused a stir all over Scotland, sitting at second place in some recent polls. There is no doubt their momentum will propel them into contenders in Aberdeen, but will their lack of face in Scotland set them back?
Who else is standing?
There are usually a few independent candidates who choose to stand. With April 1st as the deadline for candidates to register, there are no such constituency candidacies announced yet. The Alliance to Liberate Scotland Party stands for election with regional list vote candidate David McHutchon.
The Gaudie invites you to our Holyrood election hustings on Friday 20th March, 6pm at King’s Conference Centre. Book free tickets via Eventbrite.
