Julia Stachurska: SNP activists are giving Shetland by-election their all

For anyone to claim that SNP activists “can’t be bothered” is utterly ridiculous.

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I had the privilege of leading canvass and leaflet sessions filled with elected members and SNP Students activists for the duration of the stay, both in towns and rural areas where houses were more than a mile apart. I can say from the bottom of my heart, these people have endless energy.

Being someone who usually campaigns in Motherwell and Wishaw, the lack of high-rise flats was a treat to work with – a walk in the park, if you like!

Teams were out all over Shetland, braving the wind and rain every day for Tom Wills, all chapping doors and working hard to put Shetland at the heart of Holyrood.

Parliamentarians, SNP Students and YSI activists from all over Scotland showed their dedication and drive each and every day, for weeks on end without a doubt. Groups of many activists kept on chapping each and every door, watching the sun set across Shetland after already packed days on the campaign trail – just to do it all over again the next day, and the day after that.

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SNP activists are utterly unstoppable. Our activists are the leaders of tomorrow. Their political attitudes are shaped by unique experiences – so it’s essential that they experience and learn about grassroots politics and get involved so they can channel their energy towards making a positive change all across Scotland.

Being an active member of SNP Students, and working with them on a daily basis, I can say that there are numerous benefits to young people being involved in politics – for both themselves and the community they campaign in.

The opportunity to watch our members grow and develop their skills and guide them through campaign methods which they haven’t experienced before has been a great privilege and a learning process for myself and them.

Tom Wills is the SNP's candidate in the Shetland by-election

Engaging young people in the political process isn’t just beneficial in the short-term, but it also lays the foundation for strong political engagement in the future. It is crucial that they recognise that they are tomorrow’s leaders, and with that in mind, have more involvement in how their future looks. Young people who participate politically in their community from early on are more likely to become engaged citizens and voters. So in order to have better “young” citizenship, politics is one of the best tools – and social media won’t change it.

The young people in SNP Students and the YSI deserve a pat on the back for all the hard work they put in on a daily basis and the effort they have put into Tom’s campaign – those young activists have been absolutely key to the success of it. We put in a stellar shift, and I’m sure we made our fantastic candidate proud.

Having personally chapped hundreds of doors in Shetland last week alongside friends from SNP Students, I can definitely say that the positive, energetic campaign has only proven that the people of Shetland are ready for change, and that the tide is most definitely turning.

Communities in rural areas are sometimes forgotten, but not to the SNP. Our staff and activists are absolutely dedicated to go the extra mile to chap a door of someone who has never had a canvasser at their door and listen to their concerns.

Our energy and dedication are endless, and it shows.

If the people of Shetland make the right decision, and elect Tom on Thursday, they can be assured to have a local champion representing their views nationally – and they might even have us back to chap their doors again.