The council elections on Thursday are an opportunity to showcase all the work of local government, and the choices which affect residents at the most local level.
We face fundamental decisions about the types of services people want and need, investment in education and in affordable homes.
I am very proud of the fantastic slate of candidates the SNP is putting forward in Glasgow. I served in the council at a time when it could have been described as “pale, male and stale”, so I’m glad to see diversity in those putting themselves forward.
Young candidates, like Lauren Martin in Baillieston, will give an important perspective on the services the council provides.
The SNP are also fielding more candidates from BAME backgrounds, which will better reflect the diversity of Glasgow in 2022.
First-time candidates like Funmi Fajemiseye in Govan, Rage Rage in Newlands Auldburn and Olu Shokunbi in Calton all bring a wealth of life experience and will be assets to the Council and their communities.
The council elections are an opportunity to talk about the achievements of the SNP in administration over the last five years, which have included the best ever results for school leavers in Glasgow, delivering an increase in provision of childcare and early years education, and supporting families during these difficult times with the SNP’s pioneering children’s holiday food programme.
This programme supports community organisations to provide nutritious food to children and young people during school holidays, and is a practical lifeline during this cost-of-living crisis.
That practical support is a world away from the Conservative government at Westminster, with a Chancellor who said recently that it would be “silly” to provide more support to households now, and the Labour Party, who are promising things in this election that neither they nor local government can deliver.
The powers to make real change still remain in the hands of a remote and chaotic government at Westminster and no amount of false promises and outsize leaflets from Labour in Scotland will change that reality.
The SNP have a clear vision for Glasgow, as services recover from the pandemic and the city develops the significant legacy of COP26 to make our city the Dear Green Place we all wish it to be.
As a keen cyclist, I look forward to the expansion of cycle lanes, which have already made a huge difference in communities like Govanhill. People can and do stop and enjoy the thriving local shops.
The pandemic has made many people consider their work-life balance – this does bring challenges to the city centre, but equally provides opportunities to bring more people back to live in the heart of Glasgow.
All of this ties in to SNP plans for liveable neighbourhoods and more sustainable travel to connect our city, including the goal of a metro system for Glasgow and more integrated public transport.
The SNP in Glasgow have faced challenges over the past five years – settling Labour’s equal pay fiasco and the impact of the pandemic being significant – but there’s no doubt that the comprehensive manifesto sets out an ambitious plan for the future of our city.
I hope people will place their trust in my council colleagues to take Glasgow forward.
Devolving dignity can't come too soon
This week marked the end of the most remarkable session of Parliament in living memory – a two-year marathon through a global public health crisis which turned the world upside down for so many.
As usual for the end of a Parliamentary session, there was “ping-pong” as legislation bounces between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
It was hugely disappointing and frustrating to see that the Conservative Government made little by way of concessions on the controversial Nationality and Borders Bill, Elections Bill and the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.
This trio of bad bills will, among other measures, undermine the 1951 Refugee Convention, bring in voter ID for Westminster elections and gut the powers of the impartial Electoral Commission, and limit the right to protest.
I’ve rarely been so despondent as I was leaving Parliament after the Nationality and Borders Bill – the anti-refugee bill – was passed. I kept thinking of all the people I’ve met over the years who had faced unimaginable trauma, and how difficult it will be for those who follow them to get to safety under this legislation.
As Pollokshields organises a Festival of Resistance on May 14 to mark a year since the Home Office was sent packing by the residents of Kenmure Street, I am struck by the contrast between the UK Tory Government’s brutal right-wing rhetoric and the compassion of my constituents in Glasgow for their neighbours.
The sooner immigration powers are removed from Westminster, and we can treat everyone with dignity and respect regardless of where their journey to Scotland began, the better.
Great to be back at the Barrowlands
Picking out a t-shirt to see Feeder at the Barrowlands on Saturday night, I felt the passing of the years noticing the tour dates on the back were from almost two decades ago!
Feeder sounded as fresh to me as they did back in 2003, and the Barrowlands remains the most amazing venue for live music.
Alison Thewliss is the SNP MP for Glasgow Central.
