Glasgow City Council elects new leader as Susan Aitken steps down after nine years

Glasgow City Council has elected SNP councillor Ricky Bell as its new leader.

Cllr Susan Aitken stepped down after nine years in the role at a full council meeting today (Thursday).

Following a vote, Cllr Bell, who represents the Govan ward, was chosen as her replacement. He has been leader of the city’s SNP group since Cllr Aitken left that position in May.

Cllr Bell, who has been deputy leader for five years, said he believed he was the “best candidate” for the role.

He said his leadership would be about Glasgow, not party politics, and he would stand up to both the Scottish and UK governments when required.

After the vote, Glasgow Labour group leader Cllr Rashid Hussain said: “Glasgow may have a different SNP leader, but Glaswegians will want to know what is actually going to change.

“Ricky Bell has been deputy council leader and city treasurer, so he has been at the heart of this administration and its decisions.

“Changing the person at the top does not clean our streets, build homes or improve local services.”

First elected in 2012, Cllr Aitken was leader of the SNP group in opposition before becoming the council leader after the 2017 council elections.

The Langside councillor is the longest serving leader since the council was formed in 1996.