It seems hard to believe that we are so close to the end. This Thursday will be the end of years of hard work for many committed activists and candidates. I thought it would be appropriate so close to the end to have a look back at how LYS has helped shape this election campaign across the country.
In September, we had our most successful Freshers’ season ever. We recruited hundreds of new members, with droves signing up in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh to help the societies there with their efforts in our target seats.
Since the end of last year, Liberal Youth Scotland have been holding action events across the country, breaking delivery records in Edinburgh and Glasgow. We have been joined by members from all of our major University branches, as well as others from all across the country. At one event we were even joined by our counterparts from Liberal Youth UK, including Liberal Youth chair Alan Belmore.
Since the end of March, our members have been working tirelessly in their respective branches. I know for a fact that members have been working from early morning to the wee small hours to try and elect more Lib Dem MPs. I myself had the privilege of visiting every target city during the campaign, and was inspired by the drive and determination of our members on the ground.
I know LYS has been a little quiet, but that is only because our members, and the Executive themselves, are spending every waking moment doing any job that needs doing. Spare a thought for the following people who I think deserve a mention, for their contribution this year, and throughout the campaign:
Kristian Chapman, LYS President 2010: PPC for Aberdeen North, a very positive seat with a high student population, and key member of John Sleigh’s team in Aberdeen South, and final year student!
Ruaraidh Dobson, LYS President 2009: Very active PPC in Paisley and Renfrewshire North, the youngest in the country, and a big part of Katy Gordon’s campaign in Glasgow North.
Kieran Leach, LYS VP (Campaigns) 2010: PPC for Falkirk, and working with the campaigns department in Clifton Terrace.
There are many others I could mention, like all of our society Presidents, all of our other LYS members who are PPCs, and of course the dozens of hard working rank and file members, but I single these three out as the example: we are certainly not sitting around!
As for me, I’m helping run the campaign against the Prime Minister. 101-1 on us winning, maybe worth a quid…
Thank to you all for your work, keep it up. Not long left.
Callum Leslie
Vice-President (Communications)
Liberal Youth Scotland
