What is important to you?

A question that young people are rarely asked by those in a position to make a difference.

So how do we change that?

In Scotland, 16-year olds can vote in both Scottish Parliament and council elections, however, most young people don’t take advantage of this.

I believe that for young people’s concerns to be properly acknowledged this must change.

As your Member of the UK Youth Parliament (MYP), I am determined to do my part to effect that change and that starts now.

The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) has just launched this year’s #MakeYourMark campaign. Make Your Mark gives young people across the whole of the UK their say on issues that are important to them.

As an MYP for Glasgow I will be spending a lot of time meeting with youth groups and visiting schools and places of further education across the city, trying to speak with and get as many young people to fill out our consultation as possible.

Read more: OPINION Ross McArthur MSYP: New ways of teaching are important

So, if you see me around, please do say hello, as I would love to hear your ideas.

Personally, I will be using my Make Your Mark ballot to vote for environmental protection and either improving mental health services or a curriculum for life as I believe these are highly important issues, specifically for young people.

I attended a youth event in Yoker last week which gave me the opportunity to speak with young people and learn more about the issues they are facing.

One conversation I had was with a young man who had just left high school however didn’t quite achieve the qualifications he needed for a marketing course at college.

He has now been offered an interview for an engineering apprenticeship; this is testament to the notion that no matter what direction you choose to take there is #NoWrongPath.

If you think your school or know of any youth clubs that may be interested in taking part in UKYP’s #MakeYourMark campaign or have an issue you wish to bring to my attention, please get in touch.

You can contact me either by email on ross.mcarthur.msyp@sypmail.org.uk or by reaching out to me on twitter, @RossMSYP.