A THIRD of Labour councillors in Glasgow are expected to stand down at next year’s local authority election, prompting claims of an “exodus” from the city chambers.
Labour has run Glasgow for decades and the city is currently led by former MSP Frank McAveety, whose party has 39 of the 79 councillors.
However, with Labour plummeting in the opinion polls, even the most optimistic party activist believes Glasgow will fall to the SNP next year.
Several big names, such as former treasurer Paul Rooney and ex Lord Provost Liz Cameron, are already known to be leaving, but the overall figure is expected to be high. This newspaper has been told that 13 sitting councillors will not stand again.
It is understood the individuals have a variety of reasons for not seeking re-selection, but a party insider said it was symbolic of the low expectations under McAveety’s leadership.
“He is not exactly an inspirational figure who makes you want to stay. It looks like an exodus,” he said.
Party sources have also said there is an internal debate taking place about how much of Scottish Labour’s limited resources should be swallowed up trying to hold Glasgow.
In previous local government elections Glasgow Labour has been well-resourced, but other local authority areas are seen as being more deserving this time.
In a sign that money is tight, Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar, who is playing a key role in the city campaign, emailed local members recently about becoming “digital champions” ahead of the poll.
He wrote: “We are launching a brand new digital and social media training programme to give members the opportunity to develop their digital skills, and help improve Glasgow Labour’s reach across a range of digital platforms in the run up to the Local Government elections next year.”
He added: “Training will cover how to create graphics and GIFS, pre-production research and planning, production skills including camera work and sound production, and post-production editing techniques.”
A well-placed party source said Labour would have hired someone to carry out these duties in the past, rather than trying to find volunteers.
A spokesperson for Scottish Labour said: "Next May Labour will put forward the strongest possible group of candidates who will stand up for their local communities against cuts from the SNP government in Edinburgh."
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