New councillor says Glasgow needs ‘Green shake-up’ on waste
A young female councillor voted in ahead of incumbent Glasgow leader Susan Aitken does not want to play the “blame game” and give into “elements of misogyny” as she urged figures to work together to tackle the city’s major problems.
Greens councillor Holly Bruce, 28, who won against Ms Aitken in first preference votes at last week’s council elections, said there was “room for improvement” in council administration.
Her comments come after Ms Aitken faced criticism for her administration’s handling of the “waste crisis” impacting Glasgow.
Last year, Glasgow was dubbed the rat capital of Scotland when research estimated its rat population had reached 1.3million.msaitkenfacedoutragefromthepublicaftertelling Westminster’s Scottish affairs committee that “all cities have rats”.
However,msbruceisworried somecriticismofthesnpcouncil leader is rooted in misogyny as she said parties should be “working together” rather than turning to “tribalism”.
Asked whether she agrees with criticism of Ms Aitken around bin issues, Ms Bruce told The Scotsman: “I think there’s an element of misogyny there, but there is also no doubt there are bin issues, but that’s with the administration as a whole.
“She’s not the only person making those decisions. The whole administration needs a shake up. There’s obviously things she’s said to the media and I feel those concerns, but I feelthere’salotofblamingrather than working together.”
The most-voted for Glasgow councillor said Ms Aitken
would “probably not” get the same amount of criticism around waste management if she was a man. However, Ms Bruce added: “That’s not to excuse the administration who have not done enough.
“Wasteaffectsusregardlessof classandmoney,soinvestingin our waste services is a priority andworkingwithcommunities is a priority.”
Green plans around waste management will be a “streetby-street” approach as Ms Bruce said each ward has its “unique issues”.
The 28-year-old said she was keen to focus on key problems such as waste issues, women’s safety and rent controls.
Ms Bruce said the Greens were “open to working constructively” with other parties as the political power hold of Glasgow City Council is yet to be revealed.