Aberlour ‘Let’s Talk’ Event 

Aberlour hosted our young people’s ‘Let’s Talk’ general election event on Monday 17th June at Glasgow Science Centre. This was an event for young people to have their voices heard by politicians during the general election campaign. Young people quizzed each of the party representatives and highlighted their own priorities for creating meaningful and positive change for children and young people across Scotland. 

Each of the main Scottish political parties attended and the candidates included: Pam Duncan-Glancy (Scottish Labour), Kaukab Stewart (SNP), Alix Mathieson (Scottish Conservative), Paul McGarry (Scottish Liberal Democrats), Dan Heap (Scottish Greens) and Jim Eadie (Alba Party). 

Young people supported by Aberlour and other children’s charities and anti-poverty organisations, including Child Poverty Action Group Scotland, attended. The event was co-chaired by Ciaran (17), an Aberlour young person, and Aberlour Chief Executive, SallyAnn Kelly OBE.  

Young people raised key issues that are having an impact on them and their communities. Ending child poverty, the cost of the school day, increasing free school meals, lack of funding for youth work services, supporting refugee children, and the safety of transgender young people were all issues young people called on politicians to take urgent action on.  

Ciaran said: “I really enjoyed co-chairing the event. It’s important young people’s voices are heard and that politicians listen to what they have to say. Young people might not be able to vote but decisions politicians make have an impact on their lives. So that’s why this event is so important. I hope the political parties have listened and they do what young people have asked, like ending child poverty, helping refugee children and funding youth work.” 

SallyAnn Kelly said: “In the run up to the General Election it is great to be able to engage young people in politics. It was a chance for them to talk and be listened to by the parties. Our young people are really clear about their priorities and ending child poverty is number one. There was consensus from all candidates that child poverty must be addressed. 

 “On behalf of those most in need we are counting on whoever comes into power to take action swiftly and prove that their party is not just all talk”.  

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