Baillie Tommy Morrison on THAT stormy city council budget vote & the formation of Glasgow Labour

Feb 16 2012

Baillie Tommy Morrison on the dramatic city council budget vote & the formation of Glasgow Labour

As the fifth and final year of this council term draws to a close, there should be an air of buoyancy and honest competition in the air.

Councillors emerging from their latest, or their first, term representing their wards should be honing their campaigning skills, proud to pound the streets passing on their party's achievements and promises for the future.

A good clean fight in the run-up to the Scottish local elections - isn't that what we all anticipated? Sadly this is not to be, as anyone who has not been holidaying on Mars for a month could tell you.

It is with regret, not keen anticipation that I and five colleagues have resigned from Scottish Labour and taken on the onerous but vital task of setting up a new party.

We feel we have been left with no choice if we are to continue with our roles of properly representing the people of Glasgow.

No choice, but to highlight areas where we have witnessed intolerance and injustice. Being a councillor is a privilege, not a position to be exploited, a responsibility, not a personal power trip - and as such the role cannot sustain the use of intolerance or injustice.

When colleagues are treated with arrogance and disdain, what hope for the constituent in dire need of help? Scottish Labour have disappointed many life-long supporters by drafting in "lost leaders" such as unsuccessful MSP candidates, and shelving many long serving councillors.

Claims of bullying tactics and unjust selection methods may take weeks to unravel but the damage is done, leaving little faith in an administration that can condone such measures.

Pending Electoral Commission approval, the emerging party, Glasgow Labour, aims to provide an alternative to the tired Scottish Labour ticket. With a tendency towards true old-fashioned "Labour" style and values, driven with grass roots energy, we aim to serve the people of Glasgow first, putting them above petty party politics, always ensuring their priorities and needs.

We are the people's party, with the people's interest at heart. Glasgow Labour, working for Glasgow, first, last, always.