YOUNG people across the region have learned who will be representing them following the declaration for the Scottish Young Parliament (SYP) Elections 2019-21.

All 12-25-year-olds from across Scotland were invited to cast their vote to elect a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) for their constituency.

The Scottish Borders has two SYP constituencies - Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale (one seat) and Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire (two seats).

With only three candidates electing to stand for the respective seats, an uncontested election ensued.

Isabel Headon, S4 at Peebles High School, was elected to represent the Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale constituency.

Rhys Pearce, S3 at Loretto Senior School, Edinburgh, was elected to represent Ettrick, Roxburgh & Berwickshire, with 18-year-old Tanya Thomson re-elected to the other seat in the constituency.

The Scottish Youth Parliament is the democratically elected voice of Scotland's young people, campaigns on a wide range of issues and represents young people all over Scotland.

The elected members of the Scottish Youth Parliament hold a two-year term in the position and are expected to represent their constituency by being an active community member as well as attending national Scottish Youth Parliament sittings.

Councillor Carol Hamilton, Executive Member for Children and Young People at Scottish Borders Council, welcomed the incoming representatives. She said: “Many congratulations to our newly elected MSYPs on their success, both individually and as a group.

“They are to be commended for their commitment to putting themselves forward for this unique and privileged position and I am sure they will make the most of the opportunity it gives them to raise awareness about issues affecting both their own lives and those of the people they represent.

“I wish them well as they take up their new roles and look forward to working with them and seeing the contribution they make as MSYPs, both at a local and national level.”

Councillor Hamilton also took time to thank the outgoing MSYPs for their service. She added: “They are all to be commended for the outstanding way in which they represented the children and young people of the Borders and made such a positive contribution to the Scottish Youth Parliament.”