Scottish Young Greens

Scottish Young Greens
Abbreviation SYG
Predecessor Young Greens
Formation 2003
Type Political party youth wing
Headquarters

Bonnington Mill 72 Newhaven Road Edinburgh

EH6 5QG
Region
Scotland
Membership
Increase 3,000 +
Website scottishyounggreens.org

The Scottish Young Greens is the youth wing of the Scottish Green Party, campaigning on environmental and social justice. Membership of the Scottish Young Greens is open to anyone aged 16 to 30 years old, as long as they are not members of a rival political party. The Scottish Young Greens work closely with the Young Greens of England and Wales and is a member of the Federation of Young European Greens.[1][2]

History

The Scottish Young Greens formally, and amicably, split from the Young Greens of England and Wales in 2003, more than ten years after the Scottish Green Party and the Green Party of England and Wales had similarly split. The two work closely together but remain independent organisations.

Scottish Young Greens have had a certain amount of success in student politics. Former Rector of the University of Edinburgh Peter McColl was Convener of the Young Greens between 2008 and 2010, and recent former Presidents/Vice Presidents of Edinburgh University Students' Association and Glasgow University Students' Representative Council have been Young Greens. The 2004-2005 Deputy President of NUS Scotland, Phyl Meyer, was also a Young Green, as was 2011-2013 NUS Scotland President Robin Parker.

Young Greens have been involved in, or led, the successful election campaign of Mark Ballard as Rector of Edinburgh University.

Scottish Young Greens James Smyth and Ross Greer have been Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (2011-2013).

The Scottish Young Greens have variously campaigned for the Scottish and UK Climate Bills, Fairtrade Universities, Votes at 16, a Free, Fair and Funded Education System,[3] and against HMO Quotas. In 2007, they revealed that the University of Edinburgh invested substantially in TOTAL Oil, the biggest financial supporters of the Burmese Junta.[4] Scottish Young Greens were also central to the preparations for the protests at the 2005 G8 Summit in Scotland.

The current Co-Conveners of the SYG are Daniel Watson and Rachel Hill.

The current SYG constitution was ratified in January 2011.

In 2015, they launched their own manifesto ahead of the 2015 general election, including calls for the removal of benefit sanctions and the abolition of the so-called Bedroom tax.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "About". Scottish Young Greens. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "Join". Scottish Young Greens. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  3. ↑ "Edinburgh University Rector speaks in favour of free higher education". The Journal (Edinburgh Student Newspaper). 26 February 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  4. ↑ "Students criticise Burma oil link". BBC News. 7 November 2007.
  5. ↑ "Parties focus on families and health service in election campaigning". STV News. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
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