Did you know you can vote in the Scottish Parliament election on May 7?

A Guide to the Scottish Parliament Elections

Who can vote? Voting is open to everyone aged 16 or over who has permission to stay in the UK and is a resident of Scotland.

What are we voting for? In these elections, 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) are elected. The Scottish Parliament is responsible for many vital areas of daily life, including:

  • Housing

  • Healthcare (NHS)

  • Schools and Education

  • Policing

  • Transport

  • Employability services

Meanwhile, matters such as immigration, asylum, defence, foreign policy, and major national taxes are decided by the UK Parliament in Westminster.

How does the voting work?

Every voter has two votes:

  1. The First Vote: For a candidate to represent your local constituency (73 MSPs are elected this way).

  2. The Second Vote: For candidates in your wider region (56 MSPs are elected this way).

The Electoral System Scotland uses a proportional representation system. This means that the number of seats a party receives in Parliament is roughly equal to the percentage of the total votes they receive.

Important!

To vote, you must be registered. You can register in one of two ways:

1. Online (Quickest way):

www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

2. By Post (Paper form):

www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-to-vote-ifyoure-living-in-the-uk

Why is this important for the Ukrainian community?

While the most critical policy issues for the Ukrainian community—such as immigration, asylum, defence, and foreign policy—fall under the jurisdiction of the UK Parliament in Westminster, they will be major topics of discussion throughout the election campaign.

Decisions made in the Scottish Parliament also directly impact our daily lives in Glasgow, from housing and education to healthcare and local support services. Engaging in the democratic process ensures our voices are heard by those shaping the future of our new home.

Current Composition of the Scottish Parliament

(Elected in 2021)

The Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) is currently made up of the following groups:

  • SNP (Scottish National Party): 60 MSPs

  • Scottish Conservatives: 28 MSPs

  • Scottish Labour: 20 MSPs

  • Scottish Greens: 7 MSPs

  • Scottish Liberal Democrats: 5 MSPs

  • Reform UK: 1 MSP

  • Independent MSPs: 7 MSPs

Political Context and Support for Ukraine

It is important to note that all of these parties, with the exception of Reform UK, support Ukraine in its struggle against the full-scale Russian invasion.

Key policy points to consider:

  • The Labour Party: The current Labour government has implemented stricter immigration rules. However, they have maintained the pathways for Ukrainians regarding the length of residency required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British Citizenship. This provides a potential route for Ukrainians to secure permanent status in the UK.

  • The Conservative Party and Reform UK: These parties propose even more restrictive migration policies. Specifically, they have advocated for the UK to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Such a move would allow the government to more easily refuse asylum and deport asylum seekers.

LAST DAY TO REGISTER: 20 APRIL

For more information:

Ukraine Solidarity Campaign Scotland