Personal Statement: 

I am applying for the role of Policy Committee Member because I want to help our party to stand out in an increasingly divisive political climate. I am committed to showing voters why the Scottish Liberal Democrats are the way forward and help spread our message amongst the electorate.
 Our policies are central to how we communicate our values, as a way of reflecting the priorities of our members and the needs of our local communities. I would love the chance to contribute to this process.
 Through my professional and academic experience, I have gained skills that I believe would help our party take the next step to stand out in the political landscape. I studied History and Politics at Undergraduate level then studied Animal Welfare Policy, Ethics and Law at the Dick Vet School at Edinburgh University as a Postgraduate.
 Since completing my education, I have been fortunate to work for the party for nearly 2 years. In this time, I have been working in campaigns and casework, giving me a unique opportunity to hear first-hand the issues which voters are grappling with every day, how policies have a tangible impact on their lives and what campaigning methods are most effective in communicating the alternative they can vote for with the Liberal Democrats.
 I am motivated by the opportunity to collaborate in shaping thoughtful, credible policies that strengthen Liberal Democrats' direction and resonate with the public. I would be honoured to have the chance to bring my experience, knowledge and commitment to the committee's work.

What skills/experience will you bring to the role?

As an active young campaigned, a member, and a staff member of our party, I bring a blend of policy insight, real-word experiences and a strong commitment to ensuring our policies reflect the needs of younger and underrepresented voters.
 Whilst at university, I wrote my dissertation on the Dolowitz and Marsh Policy Transfer Continuum. I spent months researching, comparing and contrasting policies in Scotland with those in other countries that share similar political and economic climates. I really enjoy researching policy in this way, as it allows for lesson-learning across state boundaries. We can examine comparable frameworks and analyse the successes and/or shortcomings of different approaches to help shape better legislation here. This research strengthened my analytical, critical and collaborative skills. All of which I would be keen to bring to the role. Policy transfer techniques can help us further develop our policies, for example like housing, environmental and economic policies.
 Working in Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP's constituency office, I have been lucky enough to discuss my knowledge and perspectives on legislation progressing through the Scottish Parliament. For example, when I started in the office, the XL Bully dog ban was being debated in Holyrood, and I was able to speak with Alex about the legislation. Since then, I was also able to share information for our parliamentarians regarding the proposed ban on greyhound racing as it progresses through the Parliament. Having the opportunity to engage directly with the party leader to deepen my understanding of current policy has been incredibly valuable to my development within the party. I now want to further build on this experience by influencing the policies we put forward to voters.
 I will bring fresh insight, energy and a strong understanding of youth priorities. My goal is to support the development of bold, evidence-based policies that engage younger voters and strengthen our party's position for the future. I also believe that my skills in policy research would be highly beneficial to the role. 

What do you hope to achieve if elected? 

If I were fortunate enough to be elected as a Policy Committee Member, I would hope to bring both my professional and personal experience to the role.
I want to be a part of helping our party become more popular amongst the youth electorate. We have seen recently other smaller party's grow rapidly in visibility and support through the media amongst younger voters. I believe we have so much more to offer, but also so much more to do to win the youth vote.
I became a Liberal Democrat when I was 15. I grew up in a long-held SNP constituency, with neither of my parents discussing the Lib Dems. I was first introduced to the party after a visit to the Scottish Parliament. I took part in a campaign to abolish the tampon tax on period products and met Willie Rennie MSP. I remember going home afterwards to research the party, and learning about the many policies we had on mental health.
At the time, we were the only party genuinely talking about the mental health crisis. This isn't the first time we've been ahead of the curve on issues that matter most to voters, but too often this gets lost in translation to the public.
I want to help shape policy that is bold, visible, and appealing to young people. I'm particularly keen to contribute to our environmental policies, animal welfare commitments, and policies that advance equality for women. I want to help us create ideas that cut through.
 I also want to bring my perspective as a young woman in politics to help prioritise and develop policies that reflect the needs of an underrepresented, and at times disillusioned, part of the electorate. I want to champion the issues that matter most to young voters: economic and job security, access to affordable housing, mental health support, stronger democratic engagement and political representation. As well as action on climate change, animal welfare, women and young people's, especially ethnic and religious minority groups and LGBTQIA+, safety in our local communities, education and so much more.
 Finally, I want other young people, especially young women, to know there is a seat for them in the room where decisions are made. And that there always will be.