Orkney Youth Local Action Group (YLAG) hosted an evening of discussion and questions with Orkney’s local councillor turned MSP, Kristopher Leask.
The YLAG planned an agenda to discuss three key issues:
- housing for young people in Orkney
- concerns around generative artificial intelligence
- challenges facing transgender youth
Nine young people attended the event held in The Old Library, including YLAG members and a representative from the Young Islanders Network. During discussions, Kristopher shared his knowledge and experience from government at both local and national levels, and the young people spoke about their lived experiences and stories.
After over an hour of meaningful and respectful discussion, Kristopher answered some questions about political life from the YLAG.
He shared that being a young person in politics has mostly been positive, describing his colleagues in the Council as welcoming, helpful, and respectful. Kristopher explained that being a young person is more common in the Scottish Parliament and, although he is still only 26, he is not the youngest MSP currently serving.
Kristopher also took time to explain how progress can be made in Government, and how relationship-building plays a key role in influencing his colleagues, which can in turn lead to the power to affect change. He spoke of his work with Shetland MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad as they aim to strengthen the air links to the North Isles, and spoke on how looking at other countries’ approaches can provide inspiration for how Scotland could improve its own transport policies.
The evening was a great opportunity for the decision-makers of the future to learn more about how they can impact the local community now, and inspire them to further action going forward.
