BROWN AND TURN
TWO new councillors have been elected in Glasgow in by-elections. Jill Brown was elected for Scottish Labour in the Partick East/Kelvindale ward followed by David Turner of the SNP, in Baillieston.
Partick East/Kelvindale’s newest councillor says she is “humbled” and “excited” to have been elected as the ward’s Scottish Labour councillor.
Ms Brown has thanked everyone who voted for her in Thursday’s by-election, the council staff who executed a safe and effective count as well as her campaign team.
The new councillor says she is excited to join Glasgow City Council’s Labour group who say that the by-election is further proof that people are frustrated with the quality of basic services and the impact of a decade of SNP cuts on Glasgow.
Thursday’s result saw the Labour vote increase by more than 10% in Partick East/Kelvindale, while the
SNP and vote fall.
Commenting on her success, Jill Brown, said: “I am delighted to have been elected to represent my community. I will work every day to represent all of the constituents in my ward.
“Our campaign was focused on local people and local services. I know people’s deep frustrations about the quality of basic services in our city. Roads, parks, bins and other services we rely on are suffering.
“Today, voters in Partick East/ Kelvindale have made it clear: Glasgow deserves better than SNP cuts.”
On Twitter, she told her followers that she would stand up for her constituents and give them a better Glasgow.
Ms Brown also promises to be a champion for a reliable, affordable public transport network and to campaign for a system that puts people before profit.
She also said she will demand a better maintenance programme for Glasgow’s roads and pavements and an end to cut in bin collections.
Leader of the Glasgow Labour
Conservative saw their
Group, Malcolm Cunning added: “I am delighted to welcome councillor Jill Brown to Glasgow City Chambers, and offer my commiserations to Willie Docherty on a well-fought campaign.
“The Labour campaign was built around local people and local services. The message from these by-elections is loud and clear: people are fed up with the state of our City. They believe in Glasgow, but it is being let down by SNP cuts.
“Glasgow better.”
The SNP won the Baillieston by-election for Glasgow City Council held on the same day following Jim Coleman, former long-serving Labour councillor losing his seat over non attendance over a six month period.
David Turner won the seat at stage six of the Single Transferable Vote counting process.
He said: “I’m delighted. It underlines that Baillieston is a Yes area deserves and the SNP is going from strength to strength and is looking good for the Scottish Election in May.
“We will be looking to make sure the community hub is delivered. It as promised by two Labour administrations. deliver.”
The SNP had 48.8% of the first preference votes while Labour candidate William Docherty was second with 28.3% and the Tories secured 20.9%. this SNP one will