Voter guide for Glasgow Southside Central: Your questions answered by candidates
This council by-election, we wanted to ensure that the conversation was not dominated by what candidates/parties wanted to speak about, but by what people living locally actually care about. So we asked you: what do you want candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes. Here’s are the responses we had from Glasgow Southside central ward candidates.
This by-election, we wanted to ensure that the conversation was not dominated by what candidates/parties wanted to speak about, but by what people living locally actually care about. So we asked you: what do you want candidates to be talking about as they compete for votes.
We want to change the power dynamic so that candidates answer to citizens on the subjects that really matter to them, as opposed to the agenda the politicians themselves set out. We want to change that and set an example to other media to do the same.
Read more: Glasgow By-Elections 2025 in the Southside Central Ward Explained
We did this through an online survey, at public events, on social media and out in the streets. We then analysed the responses and created the following set of questions:
How will you protect essential services from further cuts and fight for Govanhill to ensure it benefits from the increase in council tax?
Many Govanhill residents have told us they want more social housing. What is your stance on this, and how will you approach this issue if you are elected?
Rogue landlords are a real problem in this area. What action will you take to address this issue to improve housing standards in the private renting sector?
Overflowing bins and fly-tipping are major concerns. How will you tackle waste management and pest control in the area?
In the face of rising political polarisation and an emboldened far-right, what work will your party do to strengthen community cohesion in such a diverse area?
What steps would your party take to tackle illegal and double parking in Govanhill – and more generally to make our streets safer for disabled and vulnerable people?
Do you support the creation of a publicly-owned bus company for Greater Glasgow and a unified, oyster-card style payment system for public transport?
Given the unfit state of many of the areas play parks, what will you do to ensure parks are better maintained?
In what ways will you ensure the rights of LGBTQ+ communities? In particular, do you support trans rights? And if so, what will you do to protect them amidst growing transphobia?
What will you do to ensure migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Glasgow are welcomed into the city and given support to settle and integrate?
How will you work with local police and the community to address crime and safety concerns effectively?
What plans do you have to support local businesses? How will you create more job opportunities in the area?
The candidates in Glasgow Southside Central…
Nicholas Allan Budgen – Liberal Democrats
Mhairi Hunter – Scottish National Party
Olivia Murphy – Scottish Socialist Party
Travis Power – UKIP
Danny Raja – Reform UK
Kyle Park – Conservative & Unionist Party
Samina Rashid – Scottish Labour Party
Laura Vroomen – Scottish Greens
Their answers to your questions…
Olivia Murphy (Scottish Socialist Party)
On protecting public services and fighting for Govanhill
Since our formation in 1998, the Scottish Socialist Party has campaigned to stop councillors spinelessly passing on cuts issued by Westminster and Holyrood. As your SSP councillor, I would propose a ‘No Cuts’ Defiance budget, based on people’s needs, and help lead campaigns by communities, youth groups and council workers to win back some of the £500million stolen from Glasgow by central governments since 2014.
The Council Tax is obscenely unfair. It should be immediately abolished. It hammers low-and middle-income families but lets the super-rich off Scot free. Nobody locally will benefit from the 7.5% Council Tax increase imposed by SNP and Green Party councillors. We want neither a Council Tax freeze – which adds to service cuts – nor skyrocketing Council Tax bills, another cut to wages, benefits and pensions. The SSP wants to tax the millionaires and super-rich. We have pioneered a fully costed, income-based, progressive Scottish Service Tax, based on ability to pay.
1.8 million Scots earning below £12,000 would pay nothing. 8 out of 10 local people would pay less. But the 13,000 with incomes over £200,000 would be taxed an average £77,000 each. This would literally double funds for council jobs and services.
On creating more social housing
The SSP is the only party which has consistently campaigned and argued for a massive plan of council house building, for affordable renting. For years we’ve demanded the Scottish Government build 100,000 new council houses, to the highest environmental standards, to cut fuel bills and emissions which add to global warming. Experts at the Centre for Economic and Social Policy prove that building 20,000 new council houses in Scotland in a year would create 30,000 new jobs. This is at the heart of solving the housing emergency we face in
Govanhill, Glasgow and the whole of Scotland. We don’t want more private landlords ripping people off; nor more ‘buy to let schemes’ which just add to landlords’ profits. We want high quality social housing with rent caps and affordable rent.
The SSP also believes tenants should have a say in the design of new housing, to fit different people’s needs. I would fight for Scottish Government funding for the Council to build tens of thousands of council houses, as well as renovation of existing properties, carried out by council building workers and a publicly owned Scottish Housing Service, to cut the profiteering out of providing homes fit for humans.
On rogue landlords and private housing
I grew up in Govanhill so I’m all too familiar with the problem of slum landlords and the terrible conditions they dump families in (including children). Many kids suffer life-changing conditions like asthma because of the dampness, mould and cold housing that profiteering landlords and factors create to profiteer from rip-off rents without doing essential repairs.
Worsened by unaffordable heating bills, under privatised, profiteering energy companies – which should be nationalised to cut bills!
As a young nurse, I see the consequences of this in my job, but I also live in private rented accommodation myself.
I think the Scottish Government and Council frequently fail to enforce statutory regulations to protect tenants from such shoddy treatment. Too many politicians are themselves landlords.
The Rent Controls Act of the SNP/Green coalition sounded good, but was full of loopholes – and ends in April. It still allowed landlords to increase rents in between tenancies. The SSP believes in rent controls for the house, not just for the lifetime of one tenancy.
We also think private landlords should be forced to either bring properties up to the highest standards or face compulsory purchase orders from the Council to provide decent, affordable housing for all.
On waste management
The fundamental cause of the messy and unhealthy state of many of our streets is years of Council cutbacks to cleansing services. Street cleaners, bin collection teams and park workers are a vital part of any community. with local knowledge and commitment to the upkeep of the city.
When their numbers have been cut, and their workload made impossible - through annual budget cuts by the previous Labour council and more recently the alliance of SNP and Green councillors - then rubbish on the streets and rat infestation are the inevitable consequence.
Alarming rumours of moves by the Council to privatise this service should be opposed and stopped in its tracks. Also, charges on bulk uplift punish working-class people and adds to fly-tipping. These service charges should be scrapped, as part of reversing all Council cuts.
As a socialist councillor I would work closely with the cleansing workers’ trade unions and community groups to ensure vastly increased staffing levels, improved working conditions and wages, a deep clean of the city, followed by sustained services with adequate staffing levels to do so, to make our streets safe and pleasant.
On strengthening community cohesion during polarising times
The Scottish Socialist Party has been to the forefront of campaigns and demonstrations to combat the rise and poisonous propaganda of UKIP, Reform UK, and the racist far-right generally.
These divisive demagogues are ex-Tories, funded by billionaires. Nigel Farage and his MPs are all multi-millionaires. ‘Nine jobs Nigel’ raked in an extra £572,000 in the past 6 months, on top of his £91,346 MP’s salary!
These rich chancers try to whip up racist divisions within communities while they laugh all the way to their banks. They are no friends of the working class of any colour, creed or nationality.
They want to slash spending on public services by £150 billion a year; cut taxes on the super-rich and big businesses; hand our National Health Service to the spivs and speculators of private health insurance schemes.
I would hold regular public meetings to build unity in the community, encouraging people of all colours, creeds and countries of birth to combine and fight for government and council investment in decent, affordable council housing; a publicly owned NHS, free at the point of need; free public transport for all; and a minimum wage of £15-an-hour for everyone aged 16 and above.
On tackling double-parking and improving the accessibility of our streets
Over-reliance on private cars to travel to work, to friends, family or for leisure not only excludes thousands who can’t afford a car, but adds to air pollution, and clogs up our streets due to restricted parking space.
I am standing as the Scottish Socialist Party – Free Public Transport candidate. That’s because the SSP has pioneered and campaigned (for over 25 years) for free public transport for people of all ages on buses, trains, subways and ferries.
The SSP wants all public transport publicly owned, democratically controlled, powered by clean green energy, expanded, reliable, and free to travel on for all.
That would drastically reduce the need for cars, allow the introduction of far cleaner, safer footpaths and cycle paths - where people could travel in a safe, healthy fashion, with much reduced air pollution.
It would also put money into people’s pockets. It currently costs a worker over £27-a-week, £1,400-a-year just to travel to work on the privatised bus services. Train fares are prohibitive for thousands of local people.
Free public transport, which would create thousands of jobs, would free up spaces for parks, play areas, and community facilities, catering for children, disabled and vulnerable people.
On better buses and the creation of a publicly-owned bus service for Greater Glasgow
Yes! The SSP were the first political party to campaign to take all bus services into public. Council ownership and democratic control, with input by passenger groups and workers’ unions, to determine what services are needed. We see this as the first step to a fully integrated, publicly owned People’s Transport Service, free at the point of use.
Councils have the authority to do this under the Scottish parliament’s 2009 Transport Act. So far, none of the ruling parties have done anything to implement this.
The SSP has for years campaigned for this on the streets – including on Vicky Road – petitioning the establishment politicians to take action, to combat poverty, car pollution and social isolation.
But we don’t just want free travel on public transport as it exists today. Services have suffered cuts to bus routes, cancellation of evening or nighttime services, are often unreliable because privately owned bus companies like First bus. McGill’s, Stagecoach cut corners and slash staffing, to boost profits for their big shareholders. We want a vastly expanded, improved bus, train and subway service, not just with an Oyster card, but with free passes for people of all ages and countries of birth who live in Scotland.
On maintaining and improving local parks
Older generations may remember ‘the parkie’! Council workers employed to look after the condition of our public parks and the safety of people in them, children especially.
Annual cuts to council budgets – initiated at Westminster, tamely accepted by Holyrood governments, then spinelessly implemented by local councillors without so much as a whimper – impact the state of local facilities, including play parks.
Children suffer the consequences of Labour councillors who ruled in the past, and those from the SNP and Greens over recent years, who have failed to stand up for the people against vicious cuts to funding, cuts to workers’ jobs, and cuts to the maintenance of play parks.
I would hold regular meetings of parent groups and young people, and with council workers’ trade unions, to draw up a plan of priority repairs, improvements and new parks, and then fight tooth and nail for funding off Glasgow city council. We need play parks that meet 21st century needs, with fully vetted staff to oversee children’s safety in the same way nursery staff are qualified to do, with full input by parents’ groups to decisions.
The SSP’s income-based Scottish Service Tax would double the funding for such neighbourhood improvements.
On supporting the LBGTQ+ community and protecting Trans Rights
I am horrified by the ongoing attacks against the trans community; the increasing demonisation of one of society’s most vulnerable groups.
I believe supporting Trans rights and supporting women’s rights are one and the same. As a woman I believe it’s important to show solidarity with my trans siblings against the rise in conservatism and right-wing ideologies that damages the lives of all women.
I am passionate about defending the rights of LGBTQ+ people, especially as I was raised by lesbian parents. I support various LGBTQ+ charities, and I attend demonstrations to show my support to this community, which I was raised in.
I have attended Glasgow Pride for many years and have done so as part of various charitable organisations, including Football vs Homophobia, a charity very close to me. They help to challenge discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community at all levels in football and do incredible work to provide a safe and welcoming space to LGBTQ+ people.
I believe that there is much work to be done in creating safer spaces for LGBTQ+ people, and I will continue to use my voice to speak up for their rights and defend them against rising abuse and hatred.
On welcoming asylum seekers, migrants and refugees
The SSP has been prominent in campaigns to make refugees and asylum seekers welcome over many years.
We detest and condemn the way successive UK governments, national media, and far-right multi-millionaire demagogues like Farage scapegoat people fleeing wars, climate catastrophe and starvation.
This has created the hostile atmosphere, with divisive chancers trying to divide-and-rule working-class people, to distract us from those responsible for rotten housing, insecure jobs, pitiful pay and the worst state pensions in Europe.
It wasn’t immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers who crashed the British economy in 2008, with subsequent decades of austerity; it was bankers, of whom Farage is one.
It isn’t immigrants or people of colour who create the crises in housing and health; it’s the lack of investment by Tory, Labour and SNP governments.
I would hold regular meetings with minority community groups, with translators where necessary, and lobby the Council for reversal of their cuts to assisted language teachers in schools.
The SSP calls for safe, legal routes for asylum seekers, with prompt treatment of their applications to live here, and the ban on their right to work should be abolished.
Community festivals already help to integrate people and should be supported and expanded.
On tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
I would hold regular councillor’s surgeries and community forums to consult local people on combating crime and engage with community police officers. I firmly believe that the police should be accountable to local elected community representatives. including councillors.
However, we also need to recognise that social conditions, poverty, inequality, and lack of facilities for young people especially can often lead to alienation and anti-social behaviour.
Specific forms of crime such as violence against women is made worse when streets and public spaces are poorly lit. Lack of alternative housing, or even safe places of refuge for victims of domestic violence, can leave women prisoners of domestic abuse.
I would seek to combine tackling cases of criminal and anti-social behaviour - through a properly-staffed, community-controlled police force - with more fundamental solutions to the problems, such as expansion of community facilities for young and older people; creation of more refuges across the city for women and children fleeing domestic violence; and a massive house building and renovation programme to give people greater freedom of choice.
I believe police resources should be re-directed to community safety rather than being used to enforce government harassment of asylum seekers, young people, and others.
On supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities
Small shopkeepers and family businesses are caught between exorbitant banking charges for loans; the crushing power of the multi-billionaire supermarkets; profiteering by the giant energy companies, which jacks up energy costs; and lack of spending power by local people because of poverty pay, rip-off rents, and benefits and pensions which nobody can afford to live on.
The SSP’s policies of free public transport for all; a £15 national minimum wage, with abolition of lower youth rates; equal pay for women; abolition of the unfair Council Tax, replaced by the Scottish Service Tax whereby 80% of local people would pay less; public ownership of energy to slash heating bills; and construction of 100,000 high quality council houses at
affordable rent, are all policies which would vastly increase disposable income for people to spend in local cafes, bars and restaurants. It would create hundreds of thousands of new, green jobs.
We also believe but the burden of taxation should be shifted away from small enterprises to big corporations by restoring Corporation Tax on big business profits to the 52% it was before Maggie Thatcher and then Gordon Brown cut this by half. We put people, workers’ pay, and public services before capitalist profits!
Kyle Park (Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party)
On protecting public services and fighting for Govanhill
For the last 17 years, many people have been concerned by the SNP Scottish Government’s centralising approach to local authorities, which has left them underfunded and with too few powers.
The Scottish Conservatives proposed a new ‘Fair Funding Formula’ in our last election manifesto, which would mirror the Barnett Formula, where the Scottish The Government receives a block grant from the UK Government each year. We believe this would guarantee substantial funds for our councils to spend on local services and other locally determined priorities.
If elected as the new councillor for the ward on the 20th of March, I will be looking for innovative ways to ensure that communities such as Govanhill get as much investment as possible to enhance the public services we all care about.
On creating more social housing
Many people think that rent caps are a good idea, but as we’ve seen where they’ve been tried, they actually just strangle investment in new housing and reduce available properties for rent.
The Scottish Conservatives have brought forward policies such a £250 million fund to convert empty commercial properties into suitable housing.
We also need to look at areas such as reform of the planning system and development of brownfield sites. We need to support housing associations in the city to make the right investments in communities to provide the housing we need.
On rogue landlords and private housing
Rogue landlords that make money while not providing safe and comfortable housing for tenants absolutely must be rooted out.
Tenants should report any concerns to Landlord Accreditation Scotland; they should apply to the First-Tier Tribunal for Scotland (Housing and Property Chamber) if a landlord won’t do repairs; and the city council also has a role. If elected as the local councillor, I would seek to support any constituent who approached me with these type of concerns.
On waste management
Glasgow City Council recently increased council tax for the coming year by 7.5%, but local residents don’t believe they are seeing the benefit of this large increase in local taxation. My concern is that despite having both an SNP led city council and an SNP led Scottish Government, neither seem to be delivering for the people of Glasgow.
We need to ensure that local councils have certainty in budgets, so as they can plan for the longer term. That would allow them to staff their services appropriately and ensure that our “Dear Green Place” is welcoming for residents and visitors alike.
On strengthening community cohesion during polarising times
I fully agree that the spread of American-style political discourse – whether in attacks on reproductive rights, the infiltration of private healthcare interests, or the increasing use of divisive rhetoric – poses potential risks to Scotland’s political landscape and public services.
One of the key ways to push back against authoritarian trends is to ensure that people do not feel left behind or disillusioned - because when they do, they can become more vulnerable to extreme narratives. This is why the Scottish Conservatives are committed to strengthening our NHS, ensuring access to healthcare remains universal, and improving public services more broadly. If people see that their government is working for them, they are less likely to be drawn to the kind of disinformation and polarisation we see elsewhere.
I am also concerned about social media manipulation, both from hostile foreign actors and from extreme political elements in allied nations. Regulation of online platforms is important in tackling misinformation, abuse, and the spread of authoritarian ideas. My MSP colleagues continue to push for stronger oversight in this area, and I support measures to protect young people from harmful online influences, as this is often where extremist ideologies take root.
On tackling double-parking and improving the accessibility of our streets
The city council has been phasing in enforcement of the new pavement parking laws in recent months and I understand that double parking is covered by this new law, so the legislation is there to make a difference – it is up to the city council now to enforce the law. I would certainly like to ensure that areas around drop kerbs are kept clear, so as people with prams or in wheelchairs are able to get around our communities safely.
On better buses and the creation of a publicly-owned bus service for Greater Glasgow
I am aware that Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has launched a public consultation into its draft Strathclyde Regional Bus Strategy (SRBS). The consultation is open until early June and I encourage as many people as possible to participate in this consultation process. If we are going to encourage people out of cars and into public transport, we need to make public transport much more attractive – both in terms of cost, but also in terms of availability.
On maintaining and improving local parks
I am afraid that this comes back to both investment in public facilities, but also in terms of longer-term planning about how we look after and maintain the facilities we have.
Money is short at the moment and we need to make sure that everyone understands that picking up their own litter and not vandalising cherished local amenities, all contributes to making sure that local residents can enjoy places like outdoor play parks.
On supporting the LBGTQ+ community and protecting Trans Rights
I am proud that in my life-time, it was a Conservative Prime Minister, (David Cameron), that enabled gay people in committed and loving relationships to legally marry. This was a positive step forward.
If elected as a local councillor, I will always treat any constituent who comes to me for help, with dignity and respect.
On welcoming asylum seekers, migrants and refugees
Glasgow is an open and welcoming city. The UK has always been a safe haven for people fleeing persecution. There are currently challenges being faced by countries across the world in terms of coping with the volume of illegal migration and trying to ensure that illegal migrants are processed and removed quickly, while those who have a legitimate right to settle, do so effectively. I would certainly play my part if elected as a local representative to support all constituents and communities.
On tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
The police have an extremely difficult job to do and they often operate in challenging circumstances. Elected representatives have an important role to play, through their work in local communities to work with various public agencies, such as Police Scotland, to ensure that we maintain order and community cohesion.
On supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities
Small, locally based businesses, are the lifeblood of every community. They create employment and ensure that the needs of communities are met. We have seen a gradual change in the local economy of Govanhill in recent years, as new residents have moved in and opportunities have opened up. The Scottish Conservatives are keen that we utilise brown-field land for housing development to increase the local population (and potential customers); reform the planning system to speed up development and encourage residents to shop locally to grow and develop our local small business areas. I would be keen to work with the community, (its existing businesses and budding entrepreneurs) to grow the local economy, boost opportunities and jobs.
Mhairi Hunter (Scottish National Party)
On protecting public services and fighting for Govanhill
The prospect of further spending reductions is very concerning. After more than a decade of austerity, I think we all hoped a new UK government would signal a change of direction, but, if anything, the financial prospects seem even worse under Labour, which is quite extraordinary when you think about it. The Scottish Government has already made different choices on tax to the rest of the UK to protect essential services, but it will be very challenging for them if the UK government reduces public spending further.
Obviously, as an SNP candidate, I would argue that an independent Scotland would be able to manage our public services more effectively and in a more holistic way. We would also have a much more realistic prospect of growing our economy and increasing living standards and our tax base by rejoining the EU single market and ditching the UK government’s ideological opposition to migration.
On creating more social housing
The main constraint on creating new social housing in Govanhill is the availability of land. If you look at the register of vacant and derelict land in Glasgow, there is no vacant land left in Govanhill on which to build.
New build is not the only way of increasing the amount of social housing availability, though. The Acquisition and Repair programme has brought over 350 privately owned properties in Govanhill into social ownership, so that is another approach. The SNP-led Council has also invested additional funding for the Empty Homes team to bring long-term empty properties back into use.
On rogue landlords and private housing
Over 30 rogue landlords in Govanhill have already been removed from the Landlord Register, so there is a system in place to tackle this, and I would probably encourage more information sharing to ensure that reports of rogue landlords are acted upon. Being removed from the Landlord Register is the ultimate penalty, but I do appreciate that sometimes tenants might be apprehensive about reporting in case they lose their tenancy, so we need to provide the right support for them.
On waste management
I’m glad that the recent Council Budget increased investment in cleansing staff and pest control, and also on commercial waste enforcement officers. A significant amount of illegal waste disposal does not come from residents but from businesses and landlords emptying properties in between tenancies, so I want to see a sharp focus on that. The Council is also planning to roll out the bin hub model that has been piloted in Pollokshields, and that would certainly be better than the Taylor bins that are currently in place in some streets.
On better buses and the creation of a publicly-owned bus service for Greater Glasgow
Yes, I would support a publicly-owned company, but I think in today’s climate, finance is a challenge. However, I believe there is some work going on around this, and once the cost is known, we would be able to look at the next steps. Regarding an oyster-card-style payment, there is the SPT Zone Card option, but that is probably less useful for casual journeys. Again, I think there are discussions around this, and I would certainly press for progress.
On maintaining and improving local parks
The recent Budget allocated funding for over 40 new parks staff and an additional £3 million targeted at smaller neighbourhood parks and green spaces, so I hope people will see an improvement.
On supporting the LGBTQ+ community and protecting Trans Rights
I support the LGBTQ+ community, and I support trans rights. I have found the transphobic nature of much of the debate around trans rights to be very worrying. Of course, people have the right to raise concerns about any policy or piece of legislation, but they should not be transphobic about doing so, and I have challenged transphobia and will continue to do so. As a councillor, I would be happy to work with the LGBTQ+ community to address any issues they raise.
On welcoming asylum seekers, migrants and refugees
The Council provides some services for refugees and asylum seekers and works with third-sector bodies providing support in communities. I’d be happy to do anything I could to assist with this. However, the provision of accommodation and support for asylum seekers sits with the Home Office, and they commission providers from the private sector. This is the wrong way of doing it and has caused some problems. The Council should provide all of these services, as it is better placed to do so in a holistic way.
On tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
I think the community policing approach is most effective. When I was a councillor previously, I was involved in arranging meetings for residents with the local police where there were particular concerns, and I would continue that approach.
On supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities
I would support a business association for the area and work with employers seeking to set up in the area. The Council has a particular focus on promoting inclusive economic growth, and it is vital that we work with people furthest away from the job market to help them. There is a lot of really good work from the third sector on this as well, and I would continue to support it.
Nicholas Budgen (Liberal Democrats)
On protecting public services and fighting for Govanhill
In Scotland and across the UK, the Liberal Democrats have always championed the transfer of power to local Councils. Regrettably, under the SNP, the opposite trend has left many councils, including Glasgow City, disempowered in the face of pressure from Holyrood.
If elected, I will robustly hold both the SNP and Labour Governments accountable, opposing any cuts to investment in local public services.
On creating more social housing
As Councillor, I will campaign alongside Liberal Democrat councillors elsewhere for a National Housing Plan, aimed in particular at boosting the supply of council housing. As Leader of the Scottish party, Alex Cole-Hamilton has passionately advocated that Councils be empowered to bring long-term empty homes back into use.
I will closely scrutinise the Council's housing proposals to ensure investment is targeted at alleviating homelessness. While the devolved Government has introduced an Ending Homelessness Together action plan, rising housing costs and the Council's squeezed budget have resulted in growing levels of rough sleeping- a point I have noted from my volunteering for a charity in the City Centre that offers meals to the homeless.
On rogue landlords and private housing
As a renter myself, I can attest to the anxiety that results from insecure housing. The Lib Dems are well aware that rogue landlords are a problem in the Southside and beyond. Across Scotland, the Lib Dems have convened several housing summits to explore opportunities for reform. As Councillor, I will support the City Council in fining landlords who fail to register. I will also lobby for the development of further Council housing in Govanhill so that more residents have secure long-term tenancies.
On waste management
Having volunteered as a tour guide at Cardonald Cemetery, I have been shocked by the poor waste management in the Southside.
The Liberal Democrats, both at Holyrood and in councils across Scotland, have championed a sustainable, long-term funding settlement for Councils. It is simply unacceptable that Councils must sacrifice such essential services because of poor planning from Westminster and Holyrood.
Alongside a robust penalty system, we advocate a new restitution order, allowing courts to mandate that fly-tippers contribute to cleaning their mess. This revenue would contribute to a national fund, ensuring councils in Glasgow and beyond have the funds to address fly-tipping across Scotland.
On strengthening community cohesion during polarising times
As both a liberal and a student at the University of Glasgow, I am proud of our City's diversity.
Across the UK, the Lib Dems have consistently championed a more inclusive society. Our zeal for social justice led Floella Benjamin, a Lib Dem Peer, to demand that the British Government not renegue on commitments made following the Windrush Scandal.
As Councillor, I will join Lib Dems across the UK in challenging groups such as Reform for their dishonest, illiberal rhetoric on migration. I will always highlight the contributions made by our BME community, listening in particular to local business owners to ensure that changes to taxation do not harm them.
On tackling double-parking and improving the accessibility of our streets
I support the Scottish Government's ban on pavement parking and will support the Council in enforcing this law.
The Scottish Lib Dems have a strong record on road safety. If elected, I will meet with road safety groups and raise their concerns with the Council.
I will follow the Edinburgh Lib Dems' lead in developing a Budget proposal for improving road safety. This proposal would in particular lobby for greater investment in traffic-calming measures around Southside Central's schools.
On better buses and the creation of a publicly-owned bus service for Greater Glasgow
I can attest to the inadequacy of bus services in Glasgow, being especially frustrated by the long journey times from the West End to the Southside.
The Scottish Government has introduced costly schemes such as the Young Scot Card, whilst neglecting funding for much-needed services.
As Councillor, I will follow the lead of Daniel O'Malley, the Scottish Lib Dems' Transport Spokesman, in lobbying for a unified payment system for public transport. I will robustly hold First Bus and other providers accountable, whilst supporting the eventual introduction of a publicly owned bus company.
On maintaining and improving local parks
If elected, I will work with Councillors from all parties to support efforts to improve playparks.
Whilst supporting the Scottish Government's investment in playparks, I will request clarification on what criteria are used for assessing refurbishment.
Parks such as Queens are a great asset to our community. But, all too often, anti-social behaviour prevents children and families from making the most of them. Scottish Lib Dems' Leader, Alex Cole Hamilton, has advocated that Councils be empowered to install speed cameras near parks and other busy areas. If elected, I will join his campaign, whilst supporting the Council in fining those who litter and engage in anti-social behaviour.
On supporting the LBGTQ+ community and protecting Trans Rights
The Lib Dems have always been vocal in our support for the LGBT+ community. I am proud of our city's diversity and, as Councillor, will work constructively with colleagues to combat harassment of LGBT+ people, in particular transgender people.
On welcoming asylum seekers, migrants and refugees
As Councillor, I will liaise with groups such as the Scottish Refugee Council to ensure guidance offered to asylum-seekers and migrants is easily understandable. Drawing on my own voluntary experience, I will use my surgeries to sign-post asylum-seekers and migrants to charities such as City Mission offering much-needed fellowship and support with finding housing.
On tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
I have been inspired by Alex-Cole Hamilton leading a Holyrood debate on anti-social behaviour.
We in the Lib Dems are proud of Silent Crimes' efforts to raise awareness of the anxiety resulting from anti-social behaviour. As Councillor, I will lobby for the introduction of speed cameras around areas such as Queen's Park, to address dangerous driving.
I will also support the recruitment of specialist mental health staff to work with Police Scotland. This should reduce the incidence of anti-social behaviour by ensuring those at risk of offending receive the requisite support.
On supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities
Walking along Cathcart Road, it is a joy to see how Govanhill's small businesses support the community.
As a liberal, I believe the UK's business rates hinder small businesses' growth. If elected, I will join other Lib Dems in advocating the introduction of a Land Value Tax (paid by land owners, not tenants), which would incentivise development and reduce costs for local firms.
At a UK-wide level, Lib Dems, including Edinburgh's Christine Jardine, have urged the Government to abandon the increase in National Insurance Contributions for small firms.
Laura Vroomen (Scottish Greens)
On protecting public services and fighting for Govanhill
Let me start by acknowledging that the rise in council tax will understandably concern many in Glasgow. The city’s eleven Green councillors did not approach decisions lightly in budget negotiations, and given their first choice would see the outdated and unfair council tax replaced with a fairer system of property tax. However, they have worked hard within the options available to them to deliver a budget for 2025/26 in which investment will be made in priorities Glaswegians have been asking on the doors to improve. There is extra money available for much needed environmental and cleansing services and road and pavement repairs, all of which is much needed in Govanhill. Likewise, the Greens have fought hard to reverse planned cuts in teacher numbers and bring levels back to those in 2023. These are all things that I would continue to fight for. The budget also provides for the purchase and refurbishment of empty homes to combat the shortage of social and affordable housing, and I would work to see these funds put to use where needed in Govanhill and the rest of the ward.
On creating more social housing
Yes, yes, yes to more social housing, it’s a particularly urgent issue. With temporary rent caps, which the Greens fought to bring in, about to be lifted, private tenants potentially face big rent increases.
As new house building has been hit by inflation and rising costs of materials, it’s important that as many vacant and derelict properties as possible are brought back into use as social housing. The recent Council budget that the Greens supported will provide £10m to bring buildings and land into productive use – although I will keep fighting for more to tackle those properties in Govanhill and the Southside Central Ward.
When it comes to new developments, it is of course imperative that they are as green as possible. Any increase in costs in the short term will be offset by long-term benefits such as lower energy bills. Also, Greens have been pressing for the Council to adopt an Affordable Housing Policy that doesn’t segregate our communities with all luxury private developments in one part and social housing in another separate part - I will be a voice to champion that too if elected.
On rogue landlords and private housing
Rogue landlords make me furious! Profits before people runs counter to everything the Greens stand for. Compulsory purchase orders to acquire empty properties should also be used if private landlords fail to meet their obligations towards tenants and rent out substandard accommodation at inflated prices. Recent surveys in Scotland have identified a sharp increase in the number of homes that fall below a tolerable standard of habitation. I suspect that a fair few of these are in Govanhill and the people affected by it disproportionately from migrant communities.
I would also like to sit down with tenants’ union Living Rent and consult with them. Living Rent has been leading the conversation on protecting those exploited by landlords across Scotland, and particularly in Govanhill, and tenants’ voices should be prioritised in any conversations around housing.
On waste management
Overflowing bins and fly-tipping are major concerns. How will you tackle waste management and pest control in the area?
The budget that Green Councillors passed last month makes available more money for cleansing and provides for more pest control workers, while the introduction to Govanhill of new bin hubs (with more frequent uplift and cleaning around bin areas) will also go some way towards tidier back courts and cleaner streets.
While writing my answers to these questions from local residents, I went on a walkabout organised by Govanhill Housing Association and attended by council workers. It emerged that a lack of communication between departments responsible for dealing with waste and fly-tipping means that reported problems are not always picked up and addressed. Rectifying this is a priority for me.
But we should also be looking at prevention – we can reduce litter by making it easier to waste less. Much of the litter we see in our streets consists of discarded fast-food packaging, and a reduction in these would benefit not just our streets but our health and the health of the planet as well. And many fly-tipped items could well be repaired and re-used if disposed of differently. Repair cafés, often for electrical items, are becoming a familiar sight, and I would love to see something similar for furniture.
On strengthening community cohesion during polarising times
I think community relations in Govanhill are generally good, but while out talking to people on the doorstep I’ve noticed that frustration over things such as litter and badly maintained outdoor spaces occasionally finds an outlet in suspicion, resentment, and perhaps even support for the far-right. Likewise, some people tell me that they won’t be voting because they’re just so disillusioned with politics. These are obviously very worrying developments.
If elected, I would love to sit down with community groups and hear what they believe is key to positive cross-cultural relationships. But I believe we all have a role to play. We can all reach out to our neighbours and show solidarity. And those of us directly involved in politics have to push our political parties to do better. It is particularly concerning that faced with the threat of parties like Reform, the leadership of Labour is embracing their point of view, punching down at migrants instead of addressing inequality and uplifting everyone. We have to start offering hope in place of hate, and it's the duty of all of us in politics to ensure that’s what our parties are doing.
On tackling double-parking and improving the accessibility of our streets
Pavement parking, double parking, and parking next to a dropped kerb is more than just a nuisance, it can be a serious and dangerous obstruction. That’s why I’m pleased that following a phase of warnings, Glasgow has now moved on to issuing fines. During the first few days of enforcement, around 120 fixed penalty notices were issued. But for this to be effective, it will have to be done over an extended period of time.
Obviously, as much as the Greens like to encourage active travel and use of public transport, we can’t expect car use to reduce overnight. I would therefore like to look into the possibility of having alternative car parking options that take pressure off on-street parking and greater use of parking permits. I also strongly encourage Co-wheels car sharing.
I live in Govanhill myself and am acutely aware that many of the streets and pavements are in a state of disrepair, with potholes, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting. They can be very treacherous to negotiate, especially for disabled and vulnerable people. The recent budget provides for more funding to tackle this and I am keen that this gets done as a matter of urgency.
On better buses and the creation of a publicly-owned bus service for Greater Glasgow
Yes, the Scottish Greens are in favour of the creation of a publicly owned bus company and the roll-out of a unified payment system. Govanhill benefits from decent transport links, but the cost of public transport is a frequently cited concern on the doorstep. Buses are not the affordable travel option they ought to be, and any journey that involves multiple modes of transport is prohibitively expensive. Our MSPs have been pressing for a bus cap fare, which is a good start, however Glasgow really needs a fully linked-up public transport system with affordable pricing if we are to discourage unnecessary car journeys (and ultimately reduce the number of cars on the road and get rid of problem parking.)
In the Southside, bus route 121 is due to be suspended, making it harder for people in Govanhill to reach areas such as Dumbreck and Govan. Elsewhere, too, less profitable routes are being axed, directly affecting communities. A bus company run in the interests of Glasgow’s residents and not shareholders would prevent this from happening.
On maintaining and improving local parks
Govanhill’s green spaces are very well loved and on the day that I’m writing this, the play area in Govanhill Park is full of families making the most of the beautiful spring weather. It is absolutely essential that they can do so in the knowledge that it’s safe and clean. The council budget for 2025/2026 sets aside extra funding for the recruitment of additional parks staff and for park maintenance. In addition, the Area Partnership Budget has allocated infrastructure fund money to renewing play equipment, as well as footpath and street lighting. This will go some way towards addressing the cleanliness and maintenance of Govanhill Park, Bennan Square, and Queen’s Park and its play areas. In consultation with the community council and initiatives such as Friends of Queen’s Park and Friends of Govanhill Park, I will want to keep a close eye on the implementation of this to ensure that our parks and play areas remain fit for purpose, as they have an important role to play in the health and happiness of our neighbourhood.
On supporting the LGBTQ+ community and protecting Trans Rights
The Scottish Green Party counts many people from the trans community among its members, and the other week, on the doorstep, a local resident told me that our party was pretty much the only choice when it comes to representing and protecting marginalised communities such as the LGBTQ+ community. That makes me immensely proud to represent the Greens. Criticism of our party frequently targets our support for trans rights, but we feel strongly that environmental, economic, and social justice are inextricably linked.
The growing transphobia in our society is a direct result of a campaign of negative rhetoric in the media and in certain political quarters designed to distract people from the issues affecting them day to day, like growing wealth inequality and underfunded public services. We need to stand up to this transphobia and call it out for what it is. As Greens, we will continue to support trans people in their struggle to secure rights. This will include ongoing support for LGBTQ+ organisations that can provide safe spaces for its members and raise awareness, working to ensure safety on public transport and ensuring that employers adhere to anti-discrimination laws.
On welcoming asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees
Glasgow has a proud history of welcoming people from other parts of the world, and Govanhill wouldn’t be Govanhill without the legacy of waves of immigrant communities. Building a life in a new country can be a huge challenge, and luckily Govanhill already boasts some amazing community organisations that help immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees – Milk, Romano Lav, the Well, etc. Continued funding for them is essential.
While out campaigning for this by-election, me and my fellow green activists struggled to communicate with some residents, and it’s a concern that people are excluded from fully participating in society for language reasons. One priority would be funding for English language classes. I also believe that it’s essential to try and remove any gendered barriers there may be to full integration.
The Scottish Greens will also continue to push for the removal of restrictions that prevent asylum seekers from taking on paid or voluntary work, and for asylum seeker housing to be run by the Council and third sector partners locally – not private companies with little interest in their housing conditions or wellbeing.
On tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
First of all, I am keen to work closely with community councils and draw on their strong knowledge of localised issues and liaise with local police. The Greens are dedicated to making Glasgow a safer city for all its residents and have worked to secure investment for improvements to street and park lighting as well as CCTV where needed. This will go some way towards addressing problems around, for instance, drug sales and drug use.
But of course, crime and anti-social behaviour is more often than not symptomatic of wider societal issues. By tackling poverty, investing in our community, and improving services to those in need, we can resolve problems before they develop and save resources in the long term. I see support for additional facilities and activities for young people as a critical investment in the future of our community and would like to explore what more can be done in this area.
On supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities
We have a great neighbourhood, and I think its many eateries, cultural venues, and green spaces serve our residents well. But of course, we also attract visitors from other parts of Glasgow and beyond, which benefits local businesses. I would like to see continued improvements to transport links to and from Govanhill and the wider Southside so that people can travel here more easily to enjoy and spend money in our area.
The tourist levy that Glasgow is currently considering would raise additional funds for cleansing to make the area more inviting and can also be used to invest in cultural events in the area, such as the popular Govanhill International Festival and Carnival – this should create a virtuous cycle that will draw more people to visit and, in turn, more investment and flourishing local businesses.
I would also love to sit down with businesses and social enterprises and hear directly from them about the challenges they face and what they need from their local council.
Samina Rashid (Labour Party)
On protecting public services and fighting for Govanhill
Whilst the Council Tax is an unfair tax on homeowners and households, successive SNP First Ministers have been telling the public for the last 18 years and more, that they want to change it, yet nothing has happened and constituents were left with over inflation rises each year that local councils set their budgets.
However, after the City Council budget agreement, and the 7.5% Council Tax increase, I was pleased to see that cuts to education jobs were off the table, and that Street Cleaning would improve and more children would get free school meals. Although the City Council could still do much more to support education, and I would ask what happened to the £5.2bn increase to Scotland’s budget provided in the UK budget in the autumn. Labour is already supporting Glasgow with £100m going towards the 2026 Commonwealth Games, so what are the SNP at Holyrood doing with all the money? For Govanhill I hope the Council will keep its word and ensure people get good value for money for their Council Tax and I’ll be on their case - with the other 32 Labour Councillors - if they don’t.
If elected, I will hold the local authority to account and ensure that the commitments are kept and that all the services that the public rely on are maintained.
On creating more social housing
Everyone can see that there is a need for affordable social housing for everyone at each stage in their life, from new starter homes, to family homes, and the Council must create appropriate housing for our elderly citizens.
I support the partnership between Glasgow Housing Association, the Council and the Scottish Government to provide more social housing. A good example is the refurbishing of tenements to create modern, rented affordable homes. Glasgow Housing Association (GHA) is about to create 47 flats in Pollokshaws, and we could get the same thing happening here in Govanhill.
We need to try to fast-track the planning process to make more land available and to get more new affordable homes built quickly to avoid the unnecessary costs of having families living in guest houses and hotels at the taxpayers expense.
On rogue landlords and private housing
Landlords have historically been able to pick up any number of properties and rent them out without refurbishment or bringing them up to standard. We in Scottish Labour will stand up for renters and ensure adequate standards are in place. There are, scandalously, 700,000 homes in Scotland which are now not fit for habitation. There is a housing crisis, and social housing is the priority here. This is an area where we can look to Labour in the UK Government. In England, housing benefit payments to rogue landlords will be restricted. This initiative aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable tenants.
The Council needs to increase the number of enforcement officers on the ground, to visit these rental properties and ensure that they meet the minimum acceptable standards for habitation. Rogue Landlords should be censured and punished for violating the minimum standards and failing to comply with the regulations of the Council.
On waste management
I’m disappointed the Council doesn’t have a great record in registering and licensing waste carriers, as we need to encourage responsible carriers and obviously discourage anti-social fly-tippers. We have several recycling centres, like at Polmadie, and most citizens are good at sorting and disposing of waste responsibly. But the SNP has run down local government and these facilities could be upgraded.
I will ensure that the cleanliness of our city improves and that there’s no return to the state of our streets and bins that we saw during the recent years.
On strengthening community cohesion during polarising times
The public seem to listen to extreme views when they feel let down by the party of government. When everyday services are maintained and the public feel listened to and their concerns are being acted upon, that certainly strengthens their trust in their elected representatives and in the local council. Once communities see that we are working for the greater good, hopefully they’ll see that we are a listening party and one which acts in their best interests, regardless of their background or ethnicity.
We believe diversity is a strength not a weakness, we believe we should seek what unites us not what separates us, and we believe that Labour values of co-operation and community action, through families, neighbourhoods, trade unions, are more important now than ever.
On tackling double-parking and improving the accessibility of our streets
I am pleased that the City Council will now be fining drivers who park on pavements. People who have disabilities are vulnerable. I believe more streets should give priority to walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport users. For drivers, we do need to take more car parks under public control so that drivers are not ripped off by rogue car park operators.
Also, by having adequate parking enforcement officers patrolling the affected areas and a more robust enforcement for the removal of illegal vehicles, would free up these valuable spaces for the genuine road users to use. This is a working city and we need to ensure that it can work for all, shops and businesses along with local residents and customers needing to access the businesses.
On better buses and the creation of a publicly-owned bus service for Greater GlasgowI support the development of the Glasgow Bus Partnership, set up to reduce congestion and improve journey times, to secure wider benefits for users and meet climate targets. In the long term, I believe we need a Clyde Metro. Remember it’s a Labour-controlled authority, in Manchester, where the best example of an integrated public transport system exists already.
Citizens of Glasgow need a reliable, efficient and cost-effective transportation system. Edinburgh and the Lothian area has the successful Lothian Bus company and Glasgow needs to benchmark against the best bus services available and provide this service for their constituents.
If we are to encourage people away from their cars and onto buses and underground and overground trains, then an incentive scheme like the Oyster card is a proven method to achieve this goal.
On maintaining and improving public parks
Playparks are so important for children and young people. Their physical and mental health, their social skills, their ability to mix and share - all benefit from using good playparks. Good well thought out play parks provide healthy entertainment for children and respite for busy parents, knowing their children are in a safe space to get fit and enjoy themselves.
But they have to be maintained, repaired, and generally nothing like enough is set aside for ongoing maintenance. Due to constant cuts to the funding of local authorities, there’s been a slicing of funding to maintain play park areas. Developers and house builders only give the minimum spend on play parks and equipment, more aimed at toddlers & pre-school infants, as a token gesture to tick a box for planners and then they move on without any further recourse.
We need to be installing better quality equipment, which lasts and is resilient to handle boisterous play, and we need to have good levels of supervision and monitoring. Of course, like all aspects of community safety, in shops and public spaces where people might feel unsafe after dark, a CCTV system and an adequate police presence out there, are really important.
On supporting the LGBTQ+ community and supporting Trans Rights
We must be more tolerant and respectful of everyone’s gender and the way in which people wish to be identified. Our primary and secondary schools and our colleges and universities are teaching pupils and students about tolerance and understanding of the beliefs and choices of others. This is to be encouraged in a multicultural society where the mental health of the public is now becoming more recognised.
On welcoming asylum seekers, migrants, and refugees
I think Refuweegee is great. The Scottish Refugee Council, many charities and third-sector organisations have done a great job making e.g. Syrians and Afghans feel welcomed, and I know how welcoming Scottish people can be from the experience of my family (as does Anas Sarwar, whose family came to Scotland from Pakistan in the 1960s).
Glasgow has a long history of being a welcoming destination for migrants over the centuries. From also welcoming citizens of the Commonwealth, to work in our public services and in hospitals and healthcare facilities, to citizens of our allies following the world wars.
When the public understand the reasons for people arriving here, whether it’s fleeing war torn regions of the world, or responding to recruitment efforts to bring medical professionals to bolster our healthcare settings, or for economic reasons, we need to appreciate that they all have something positive to offer our communities to enrich our communities.
On tackling crime and anti-social behaviour
We have great Community Beats teams in Police Scotland, and as a Councillor I would want to work with them and keep their ears and eyes close to the ground across Glasgow Southside. Residents, businesses and visitors have to work together to prevent our areas falling into the difficulties some other areas suffer from. So I think lots of sharing of intelligence, with community organisations, community councils, reporting when something isn’t right, and people knowing to call 101 or 999 in an emergency, are the top actions to take. Bodies on the ground and good enforcement with the criminal justice system are essential.
On supporting local businesses and creating local job opportunities
Well, as the Canadians are doing, shop local. I, along with my fellow Labour Councillors, want to work with the City Council Partnership for Economic Growth to maximise growth in Glasgow Southside - Tourism, Digital, Hospitality, Creativity, Engineering, Education and other sectors have a good base here. So we have to take advantage of all the available sites – Glasgow has 1,000 hectares (1000 football pitches) of vacant and unused land, and see these as opportunities not problems. There are funds out there, like through the Glasgow City Region Growth Deal, and the City Council’s own Economic Strategy emphasises investing locally and making sure that new jobs, and especially net-zero jobs, come to Glasgow, especially Glasgow Southside.
We have not yet received responses from Danny Raja (Reform UK) and Travis Power (UKIP). If we do receive them, we will publish and update this article.