Education, the NHS and the cost of living were among the topics at the top of the agenda for a group of first time voters.
In Scottish Parliament elections the voting age is 16, unlike for Westminster where it is 18.
Senior students at Bellahouston Academy, in Glasgow, shared their views on the election, the importance of using your vote and what matters to them.
They were asked about the importance of using your vote, what issues they engage with and what they would do if they were in charge.
Caleb Fagan, 16, in S5, said: “I think it’s very important to vote. I’ve spoken to a lot of people, even younger than myself and they say maybe they don’t like the current government or they’re not a fan of some of the manifestos but they don’t want to vote.
“I think it’s a bit useless, if you’re not a fan, why would you not vote.”
He added: “People say health is wealth, I think health is the most important thing politicians should put their funding towards.
“Free healthcare is one of the things people are most grateful for in Scotland and England.
“I’d make the top 1% financially, pay the correct amount of tax. There’s a lot of wealthy people sitting on millions and billions and paying less tax than people making 30 or 50 grand a year. That would help the economy and the cost of living.”
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Zunaira Ahmad, 17, S6, said: “It’s important to vote, since it’s the first time for many young people and it gives them a sense of responsibility and for them to have a say on what can impact their future.
“Since many people don’t listen to what young people say, for us being able to speak on our behalf is important.”
She added: “I would definitely put more money towards the NHS and help towards the wait time because the wait time is more than for people who pay for private.
“People can be waiting beyond a year just to be checked and they can be waiting longer if they need surgery. And more towards education as well.”
Shanza Ali, 17, S6, said: “This is the only time we get our voices to be heard. If people fought for the right to vote, then we should use this to our advantage.
“It’s a big responsibility but even if it’s just one vote, it all comes together to paint a big picture and hopefully help us in the future.”
She added: “I would add more money towards housing. This is a bare necessity for anyone to have a safe place to go to and call home.
“I think if people don’t have that they’re not living comfortably.”
Ngai Gigya, 17, S6, said: “Many people complain about politicians all the time and I feel what’s the point in doing that if you’re not going to let your voice be heard and speak out about these problems, because we are able to, we are in a free country and able to speak our minds.”
She added: “I want to study dentistry so having that attention on the NHS is massive.
“Looking towards future employment, I engage with the NHS and what they are putting forward is not hitting the nail on the head.
“They should be making changes for us, not for their image or reputation but for the people.”
Zoha Mamood, 17, S6, said: “It’s important because we are the future of the workforce and education because we are also going to university soon.
“So if there’s anything that you don’t like about what the government does, you have to vote for a change.”
She added: “If I was in power for a day I would put more funding into schools because there is an attainment gap between private schools and public schools. It would make it more equal for every student.”
Lucy Boulton, 17, S6, said: “It’s very important to vote because a lot of other countries don’t get the opportunity.
“We are in a democratic country where we get the right if you want to make a change.
“Even if you don’t like the candidates, you can spoil your ballot and that shows you want a candidate that’s not there, a different option.”
She added: “I would definitely put a lot more funding into the NHS because it’s underfunded and try an create more jobs so people can afford to live.”
Malcolm Offord’s statement on how many homes, cars and boats he owns struck a chord.
Lucy added: “For a politician to have six houses, how is that fair, with all the homelessness in this country.
“I think it’s terrible that a politician is flaunting how many houses he’s got. I just don’t understand it.”
She added: “Reform don’t really care about young people, which is a really big worry for me because we are going to be here the rest of our lives.
“We need to vote in a party that’s going to make a good change for us or a party that has been making changes.”
Bowan Saleh, 17, S6, said: “It’s not just the 30, 40, 50 or 60 year olds opinions that matter, it’s also our opinions because the decisions affect us as well.
“We also have a voice, if there are things we want that are specific to us, it’s important to use it.”
He added: “I would try and make the cost of living lower and lower taxes so that people can survive more easily. I’d put more funding into schools and the NHS.”
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