Wednesday 11-12-2019 - 11:32

 

The Highlands and Islands Students’ Association (HISA) have been lobbying to ensure students studying across the University of the Highlands and Islands have the opportunity to make their voices heard in the upcoming General Election on the 12th December.

All economic forecasts show that if Brexit goes ahead, the Highlands and Islands of Scotland will be extremely negatively affected.  We call on all candidates to pledge to lobby the UK government to ensure that any negative impact caused by Brexit on rural Highland and Island communities is completely mitigated through investment and additional support. 

We are also facing the existential threat of an impending climate crisis, not just in Scotland, but across the globe.  HISA calls on all parties at this election to commit to policies which will ensure sustainability for our planet and to address the climate emergency as an utmost priority.

HISA calls on all political parties to commit to policies aimed at resetting society and delivering lasting change on the issues that students care about. The following six priorities highlight this: 

 

1. Back a People's Vote on any Brexit deal agreed by the UK Parliament
2. Guarantee the replacement of EU funding which currently supports access to vocational and further education, and research in higher education in the event of Brexit
3. Protect inward and outward student mobility post-Brexit, including participation in Erasmus+ or any successor schemes and cross-border study on the island of Ireland
4. Create a fair immigration system for all migrants, including international students, with an expedited legal guarantee of a post-study work visa lasting at least two years for international students
5. Ensure no hard border on the island of Ireland and protect the Good Friday agreement
6. Secure medical supplies from the risk of a no-deal Brexit

 

Speaking on the General Election, HISA Vice President Higher Education, Andrew Bowie, said:

 "At this election, students have the opportunity to decide the next government of the United Kingdom.  If we speak with a united voice on the issues that matter the most to us, then we have the ability to bring about a seismic change in politics across the whole of the UK.  

I encourage every student to get out and vote for the party who, in their local area, will have the best chance to bring about the change we need to see, to stop Brexit, to address the climate emergency, and to create a fairer, more just society that everyone is welcome to live in."

#GeneralElection19