The Scottish Parliamentary elections are taking place on the 6 May. The Glasgow Southside constituency that covers Govanhill is one of the most key seats with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar contesting the seat of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Crosshill and Govanhill Community Council held an online hustings to enable local constituents to put their questions to the candidates.

Candidates who took part from L-R, Nicola Sturgeon (SNP), Anas Sarwar (Labour), Carole Ford (Lib Dems), Kyle Thornton (Conservatives

by Craig Hunter

Lighting in Queens Park, cleansing in Govanhill and food poverty were a few of the local issues taking centre stage at a hustings for the Glasgow Southside constituency in the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections.

The online nature of the event (organised by Crosshill and Govanhill Community Council) took some of the heat out of what one would expect to be a keen debate, especially with both First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar contesting the seat. In addition to these big-hitters, Carole Ford of the Liberal Democrats and Kyle Thornton of the Scottish Conservatives were in attendance, while Greg Energy Adviser (Independent), Deek Jackson (The Liberal Party) and Carol Ann Dobson (Freedom Alliance) sent in prepared statements.

Cleansing

All four candidates present agreed that Govanhill requires further investment in cleansing, with Sarwar stating that Glasgow City Council had experienced cuts of almost £350 million in the past decade, and the number of workers reduced from a peak of 800 to 230. Thornton noted the backwards steps being taken with regards to bin collection and plans to charge for bulk uplift, while Ford called it a crisis and recommended more funding for councils and better enforcement against littering or fly-tipping, but with smaller sanctions. Sarwar noted that there are three enforcement officers for the whole city.

Food Poverty

In relation to food poverty, both Ford and Sarwar said their parties would double child poverty payments and support a Universal Basic Income in the long-term. With the Scottish Parliament lacking the powers to enact UBI, a Minimum Income Guarantee was put forward by Sturgeon and Sarwar as an alternative, whereby top-up payments are made to low-income households. Sturgeon said the SNP would extend free school meals to all primary school pupils, and include holiday periods – also promoted by Sarwar.

Queen’s Park Lighting

All parties were also agreed that lighting in Queens Park is something they would support, although as with the cleansing issues, the responsibility lies with Glasgow City Council. It seemed a lot easier for candidates to agree something should be done when it concerned issues over which they do not have direct control.

Transport

With the COP 26 conference on the horizon, the candidates were asked whether free public transport should be introduced in the city. Sarwar said that was one part of it, but routes should also be improved. Thornton stated he was not convinced by arguments for free transport, while Ford recommended a franchise system for buses and further integration of the transport network. Sturgeon said there was a role for free transport, particularly for young people, highlighting a policy of free bus travel for those under 22, and bringing the rail network back into public ownership. There was a general willingness to discuss the public ownership of buses, but Thornton was unconvinced it would solve problems with service quality

Energy

Energy transition was also discussed, with Ford promising the Lib Dems would devote £15 million to retraining in the Northeast, moving skilled workers to the renewables sector. Thornton proposed putting research and development at the forefront of policy on renewables. Sturgeon said the next focus was on decarbonising homes and other buildings and decarbonising transport.

Independence

Unsurprisingly, powers reserved to Westminster brought disagreements to the forefront. Sarwar said Scotland benefitted from pulling our resources on pensions and other areas, whereas Sturgeon argued that independence was required to improve the welfare system. For those in doubt, neither the Lib Dems nor the Conservatives are in favour of IndyRef#2.

Aside from this divisive topic, however, one could be left with the impression that the four candidates were on the same team, with broad agreement on many issues and little mention of how policies would be funded. With several areas of discussion outwith their jurisdiction, it was all too easy to concur that the council should fix things. A closer look at party manifestos is recommended before casting your vote.