Elections for the parliament, which formally convenes three times annually but lobbies decision makers all year round, were held in the region’s nine secondary schools and Borders College campuses last Wednesday with the results declared on Friday.

From 11 candidates, voters chose Jack O’Hara to represent Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale and Cian Gullen and Corran McFarlane in the constituency of Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire.

Jack, the youngest of the new MSYPs, is a second year student at Peebles High and chose to campaign on a manifesto of “fighting prejudice and challenging stereotypes”.

Cian, an S4 pupil at Hawick High, is committed to pushing for better local mental health facilities and ensuring schoolchildren are aware of these services. She also wants the media to promote healthy body images for young people, stating in her manifesto: “Pictures in magazines should not be how someone defines their self worth.” Corran, who is in S4 at Earlston High and lives in Gordon, wants to cut the cost of public transport for young Borderers and improve internet access in the region’s more rural areas.

A total of 7,396 votes were cast in the Borders with a turnout of 58 per cent recorded in Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale and 49 per cent in Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwick.

The three MSYPs will replace Nicola Pringle from Oxton, Finlay Duff of Bonchester Bridge and Scott Redmond from Hawick who have served their two year stints with distinction.

Last year, that trio convinced Scottish Borders Council to approve a motion calling on the Scottish Government to introduce concessionary public transport fares for young carers across the country.

All this year’s candidates were congratulated on Friday by Lib Dem councillor Vicky Davidson, who is SBC’s executive member for culture, sport, youth and communities.

“It’s never been more important for young people to really take hold of issues affecting their lives and I look forward to supporting our new MYSPs and their campaigns.

“They now have a position of influence and I urge them to use that influence while they can.” Kris Chapman, the youth coordinator of the elections and a former MYSP, added: “This is a really exciting time for young people in modern politics and all the candidates did a fantastic job in promoting the issues that matter to young people across the Borders.”