Dexter Hansford

Falkirk West

Key Issues

Justice
Employment
Health and wellbeing

Candidate Presentation

Candidate Profile

Why do you want to be an MSYP?

I want to be a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) because it is important to me that young people’s voices are heard and their needs and wishes are included in decisions that affect them. I believe young people know best about their needs and how to find positive solutions to the difficulties and challenges they face, there are around 12000 young people aged from 12 to 25 living in the Falkirk West area each with unique opinions and lived experiences, as one of their MSYPs I will be able to ensure that their views are represented on the issues that matter most to them. I want to develop my leadership skills whilst making a real difference for young people in my local area and I hope that my MSYP experience will encourage other young people to find ways to participate in their communities and make their voice heard.

How will you consult with the young people in your area or organisation to ensure that they are represented well and their voices are heard?

I will use a range of accessible methods to consult with young people, both in-person and online, to ensure I hear a range of voices and views that are representative of the diversity of young people in Falkirk West. I will encourage young people to be confident and open in sharing what could be better in their local community.
I will utilise local secondary school and community group networks to gather views from young people to directly inform my participation in the Scottish Youth Parliament. I will engage with young people through social media platforms that they like and use – TikTok, Instagram and YouTube – setting up polls and survey questions to make it quick and simple for them to get involved on key issues. I will engage with the local press to help me share MSYP information, and promote ways for young people to get involved, more widely.

Why should someone vote for you?

I am a local young person, I live, volunteer and attend school in the Falkirk West area and I genuinely care about making things better for other young people in our local communities. I understand how important it is to listen to young people so I can best advocate for their needs through the Scottish Youth Parliament, if elected to the MSYP role I am committed to ensuring I engage with a wide range of young people so I can be truly representative in my role.
My campaign issues all impact the everyday lives of young people in my local area: more affordable and accessible opportunities to take part in sports and physical activity; better access to supported volunteering placements and internships to help us prepare to access higher education and good employment; and better prevention of the causes and impacts of violence and gender-based violence against young people.
I am committed to advocating for local young people to be meaningfully included in decisions that affect them. If people vote for me they can be confident they are voting for someone who will be bold and brave in giving a platform to the real youth voices of Falkirk West.