Glasgow SNP launch election manifesto with bus pledge

The nationalists say “tackling the cost-of living crisis, the climate emergency and recovery from the pandemic” will form the heart of its strategy for the next five years.

Fifty election hopefuls have lined up to fight for seats across the city’s 23 wards, after the candidates released their manifesto alongside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The SNP have been the minority administration in Glasgow City Council since 2017.

A number of SNP councillors won’t seek re-election including four high profile female politicians: Anna Richardson, Jen Layden, Rhiannon Spear and Elaine Ballantyne. Deputy leader David McDonald is also standing down.

An SNP spokesperson said: “We are fielding 50 candidates across the city with the ambition of returning an SNP City Government and continuing the work of transforming Glasgow. We are the only party with the realistic aims or credible plan for leadership and the needs and ambitions of people of Glasgow. Every one of those standing for the SNP is determined to deliver for their communities and for our great city.”

A statement released before the official manifesto launch promised to “revolutionise public transport by working towards a Clyde Metro system of light-rail to connect our communities, publicly owned and run buses, and integrated “tap and cap” ticketing across transport modes.”

Council leader Susan Aitken, SNP, said: “Our plan for Glasgow addresses Covid, climate and the cost-of-living crisis – the issues of our times.

“These past five years have seen Glasgow face several unprecedented challenges thrust on top of the immense task we inherited to turn this city around. In the face of that we are proud of the progress we have made and our aim now is to build on the strong foundations for change we have laid.

“Driving everything we do is our core commitment to tackling poverty and inequality, improving our communities and creating better life chances for every Glaswegian.”

A statement from the party also said “If re-elected the SNP has pledged to further extend free school meals to all primary pupils, work to ensure more firms pay the real living wage, and build 6,500 new affordable homes for the city while supporting the roll-out of home energy retrofit to secure greener, more efficient and more affordable energy for Glaswegians.”

Labour, the Scottish Greens, Conservatives, Alba and Independent candidates have also been announced.

SNP candidates running in every ward:

LINN

Paul McCabe

Margaret Morgan

NEWLANDS/AULDBURN

Sean Ferguson

Rage Rage

GREATER POLLOK

William Graham

Roza Salih

CARDONALD Elaine McSporran

Alex Wilson

GOVAN

Ricky Bell

Stephen Dornan

Funmi Fajemiseye

POLLOKSHIELDS

Zen Ghani

Norman Macleod

LANGSIDE

Susan Aitken

Paul Leinster

SOUTHSIDE CENTRAL

Alexander Belic

Mhairi Hunter

CALTON

Greg Hepburn

Linda Pike

Olu Shokunbi

ANDERSTON/CITY/YORKHILL

Eva Bolander

Angus Millar

HILLHEAD

Ken Andrew

VICTORIA PARK

Feargal Dalton

GARSCADDEN/SCOTSTOUNHILL

Chris Cunningham

Malcolm Mitchell

Rosemary Ugbah

DRUMCHAPEL/ANNIESLAND

Fyeza Ikhlaq

Anne McTaggart

Cylina Porch

MARYHILL

Abdul Bostani

Franny Scally

CANAL

Alan Gow

Jacqueline Mclaren

Sandra Watson

SPRINGBURN/ROBROYSTON

Graham Campbell

Christina Cannon

EAST CENTRE

Declan Blench

Annette Christie

Kilian Riley

SHETTLESTON

Laura Doherty

David Turner

BAILLIESTON

Alex Kerr Lauren Martin

NORTH EAST

Ruairi Kelly

Mandy Morgan

DENNISTOUN

Allan Casey

Lorna Finn

PARTICK EAST/KELVINDALE

Kenny Mclean

Linsey Wilson