Moray teenagers quizzed a Scottish Government minister yesterday as they looked forward to voting for the first time in the looming Holyrood elections.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead, who has served as local MSP for the past 10 years and is the SNP candidate for the May poll, was joined by a group of secondary school pupils from across the region when he submitted his nomination papers.
Keith Grammar S5 pupil Caitlin Croft acted as witness while Mr Lochhead signed to declare his candidacy.
The 16-year-old said she was pleased to take on the “big responsibility”, and described her excitement about the Scottish Parliamentary elections.
She said: “I think people my age should definitely be allowed to vote, and I’m pleased that will be the case in May.
“We are the next generation, and it’s our lives that political decisions will affect.”
Caitlin was joined by other pupils from the Keith secondary, as well as first time voters from Forres Academy and Lossiemouth High.
Mr Lochhead handed over his nomination papers for the election to the council’s returning officer after chatting with the teenagers.
He said he was “heartened” by the enthusiasm the youngsters expressed at being able to join the democratic process.
Mr Lochhead added: “This is a really exciting election for young people in Moray, and they are really engaged in many of the big debates facing the country.”
The voting age in Scottish elections was lowered to 16 last year.