Addressing the barriers preventing disabled people from becoming fully involved in politics.
Access to Politics Charter
*NEW March 2019* – Political parties have provided questionnaire feedback on their engagement with the Access to Politics Charter.
Working with disabled activists from all political parties and none, Inclusion Scotland has developed the Access to Politics Charter, to address the barriers preventing disabled people from becoming fully involved in politics.
Building on its experience delivering the Scottish Government’s Access to Elected Office Fund during last year’s local council elections, Inclusion Scotland held an event in February where over fifty disabled activists began the process of creating a list of solutions to problems faced by disabled people getting into politics.
Click on each individual Charter point for more information.
In the Charter, political parties affirm that:
Charter Download and Accessible Versions
Download a PDF copy of the Charter here.
Large Print and Easy Read versions of the Access to Politics Charter are also available. The BSL video of the charter is available below.
Inclusion Scotland: ‘Access to Politics Charter’ from Magic Egg on Vimeo.
Launch Event
The Access to Politics Charter was launched at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 14th June, at an event hosted by the Deputy Presiding Officer, Linda Fabiani. The event was well attended by disabled people and MSPs, several of whom signed-up to the Charter, which commits political parties to addressing the barriers faced by disabled people getting into politics. Notably, the Charter was signed by all five Scottish party leaders – Nicola Sturgeon for the SNP, Ruth Davidson for the Conservatives, Richard Leonard for Labour, Willie Rennie for the Liberal Democrats, and Patrick Harvie for the Scottish Green Party.
Signing of the Access to Politics Charter at the Scottish Parliament.
Front Row: Ethan Young (Inclusion Scotland) / Back Row: Ruth Davidson MSP (Leader, Scottish Conservatives), Linda Fabiani MSP (Deputy Presiding Officer), Phyl Meyer (Inclusion Scotland), Willie Rennie MSP (Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats), Stuart Pyper (Inclusion Scotland), Richard Leonard MSP (Leader, Scottish Labour), Patrick Harvie MSP (Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party), Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister (Leader, SNP)
What’s Next
‘All parties at Holyrood have committed to removing the barriers that prevent people from participating in politics,’ said Linda Fabiani. Over the next year, it’s down to all of us to hold the parties to that promise. The point of the Charter is not the event, or the photo call, but now – what comes next.
As individuals, we can promote the Charter on social media, and at branch meetings – why not send the Charter to your MSP or MP? Or, like one ingenious activist, plant the Charter in your party’s parliamentary offices?
Inclusion Scotland will be working with parties and their disabled members to report on how Charter commitments are being met, and where parties need further development. We respect the parties’ commitments to the Charter, but we don’t want it to be an easy promise – nothing worthwhile ever is. The Charter means real action, from all of us, and the chance for the grand prize. The same opportunities, the same invitation into politics and political parties, as everyone else.
