Today in Edinburgh, Liberal Youth Scotland launched their campaigns for the following year: Freedom and Fairness, and Making Scotland Stronger.

LYS President Kristian Chapman said: “It’s been a painstaking process, taking the initial campaign ideas from the members through to these fully formed campaigns, but it’s very rewarding. I’m really looking forward to seeing these campaigns through, and continuing our fight for all young people across Scotland.”

With the General Election over and the new Liberal Democrat-Conservative Government firmly bedded in, LYS and the Scottish Liberal Democrats have Holyrood firmly in their sights. In the previous Scottish Executive, the Liberal Democrats brought about the scrapping of tuition fees, introduced free care for the elderly and made our votes at local elections fairer. In May 2011, a vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for these ideals of fairness, equality, and looking after those in our society most in need. We aim to build upon these, and create a stronger Scotland that works for you.

Liberal Youth Scotland will also be working with other organisations across Scotland to promote next May’s Alternative Vote referendum. While the Tories oppose AV for their own self interest, and Labour refuse to back it because they refused to bring it about in 13 years, the Liberal Democrats believe that every vote should count, and the Alternative Vote is a significant step towards this aim.

Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP said:

Liberal Youth Scotland is a vibrant and important wing of our party and I’m delighted to see them launching these campaigns today in the run up to the next Scottish Parliament elections in May.

Fairness is a core Liberal Democrat principle and I’m proud that Liberal Youth Scotland continues this theme. I’m also pleased to see them continuing to champion gay rights.

I’m sure these campaigns will strike a chord with students and young people across the country as the new term gets underway.”

Liberal Youth Scotland will be at Freshers Fairs across the country in the coming weeks, so come and say hello!

Liberal Youth Scotland is the youth & student wing of the Scottish Liberal Democrats. You can find them at www.liberalyouthscotland.org.uk or twitter.com/LYScotland