Your Voice, Your Community
Have your say in the Scottish Parliament election!
On Thursday 7th May, people across Scotland will vote in the Scottish Parliament elections. All 129 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) will be elected through this vote. Voters will choose the local MSPs they want to represent them in the Scottish Parliament.
The election will decide which parties have enough MSPs to form and lead the Scottish Government. This government will make decisions on areas such as health, education, housing, transport, and social care. Every vote is part of how Scotland is governed, and everyone has the right to have a say in decisions that affect them. Voting on Thursday 7th May is one way to make sure your voice is part of that process!
Disabled People’s Question Time- Hustings 2026
On Wednesday 25 March, members of the get2gether community attended Disabled People’s Question Time – Hustings 2026, organised by Inclusion Scotland. Hustings are events where election candidates answer questions from the public so people can find out more about what different parties stand for and what they would do if elected. They are not always accessible, and too often adults with disabilities are excluded from these important political conversations. This event helped change that by creating an accessible and inclusive space where disabled people could hear directly from candidates, and ask direct questions about the issues that affect their communities.
The event took place in person in Edinburgh and online, with live captioning and British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation available so people could take part in the way that worked best for them. Members of the get2gether community attended the hustings and asked questions directly to candidates from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Scottish Green parties. Candidates responded to questions submitted by disabled people, based on their own experiences and priorities.
Photo credit: Connor Mollison / Inclusion Scotland
“I’ve always voted the same way before, but after hearing them all answer the questions, I’m going to vote differently this time.” – Keith, get2gether member
The hustings created space for disabled people’s voices to be part of the political conversation. Members heard directly from candidates, and candidates heard directly from disabled people about the systemic barriers they still face in everyday life. It was clear that many of the issues raised reflected everyday experiences, and that candidates were not always aware of them. This shows how important it is to keep bringing these issues to the attention of the Scottish Government and MSPs, so that disabled people’s experiences are not overlooked and continue to shape decision-making.
“I found it very informative. It was good to hear what the different parties are actually planning to do for disabled people. I left with a better idea of who I wanted to vote for.” – Matthew, get2gether member
Why does your vote matter?
Voting is one way we all have a say in decisions that affect everyday life. In Scotland, the people we vote for make decisions about things like health, housing, transport, and social care. Everyone has the right to take part in these decisions. Disabled people make up a large and important part of society, and it is important that these voices are included in how decisions are made.
Disabled people are still underrepresented in political life, both as voters and as candidates. This is not about ability or interest, but about barriers that can make it harder to take part, including access to information and the way political systems are set up.
When people are not included, important experiences can be missed in decision-making. When people are included, decisions are more likely to reflect real life and the different needs of communities, which benefits everyone.
Voting is one way to make your voice heard and help shape what happens next. Voting is not always straightforward, and having clear information and feeling confident in the process can make a real difference. There are accessible resources available if you want to learn more about how voting works ahead of 7 May, and about the support available when you go to vote. Make your vote count in the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May.
Resources
My Vote My Voice have created easy read guides on voting, your rights, and how to vote in person:
How to Register for Proxy Voting (Deadline 28th April!)
The Electoral Commission provides clear and trusted information about voting in the UK. This includes how to register to vote, how to vote, what ID you need, and support available to help you take part in elections. Click the links below to view their British Sign Language (BSL) videos about: