The SNP has vowed to speed up its transformation of public transport in Glasgow with publicly owned and run buses and a ‘tap and cap’ ticket system across all travel.
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 as the candidates prepare to release their manifesto today (Saturday, 9 April) alongside First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The SNP have been the minority administration in Glasgow City Council since 2017.
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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 on May 5.
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
