Eighteen young people from East Renfrewshire are bidding to be MPs in the Scottish Youth Parliament. Now the budding ministers for the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) are on the campaign trail and hoping to secure the votes of fellow young people in the area.

The 18 candidates will battle it out for their chance to represent the area’s younger population, and embark on the first step of a budding political career.

Each candidate has produced a manifesto that they will use to try and swing voters in their favour.

Some have even embraced the digital era, by creating online manifestos in the form of YouTube videos.

Manifesto items include the NHS, equality for young people, transport, the environment and social justice.

Elections for The Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) will take place in East Renfrewshire Schools, Barrhead Museum and the Edge youth facility, Newton Mearns from March 2 to 13. Young people will also be able to vote online at home.

Councillor Mary Montague, East Renfrewshire convener for community services and community safety, said: “It’s terrific to see so many of our young people standing for the Scottish Youth Parliament.

“This is an excellent opportunity for all young people aged 12-25 years living in or going to school in East Renfrewshire to become involved in democracy, through voting in these elections. It’s so important for young people to have their voices heard and I’d urge everyone eligible to vote to do so.

“I wish all candidates the best of luck with their campaigning. It’s good for East Renfrewshire that we have such able and enthusiastic candidates for our area.” The Scottish Youth Parliament was set up in 1999. Its members are aged between 14 and 25 and are democratically elected. It aims to listen and recognise issues that are most important to young people across Scotland and ensures their voices are heard by decision makers.

Members are elected for two years and the next term begins in April.

East Renfrewshire has three seats in the SYP. The constituencies have the same boundaries as the Scottish Parliament.

Young people aged 12 to 25 who live in or attend school in East Renfrewshire are eligible to vote for whom they would like to represent them as a MSYP. Voting takes place from March 2 to 13 at www.syp.org.uk An online voting system will be used. Young people will be able to vote for their preferred candidate using the number on their National Entitlement (Young Scot) Card. Young people can be issued with temporary numbers if they do not have a card.

Information on candidates and voting is available at http://elections.youngscot.org or www.syp.org.uk Young people can get more information from Young Person’s Services on 0141 377 3134.