READERS might be surprised that a Conservative leader supports the erection of a monument to a Glasgow Labour councillor, especially one who led a mass demonstration that almost caused a riot in wartime.

But in the case of Mary Barbour, that's what I'm doing. Mary was no ordinary politician; she was a campaigning force of nature. She forced a change in the law to stop ordinary people being exploited by private landlords during the First World War – protecting vulnerable families from war profiteers.

She went on to be Glasgow's first female Labour councillor.

At the start of the war, many landlords tried to take advantage of men being at the Front by introducing steep rent increases.

Organisations such as Glasgow Women's Housing Association were established to fight the rises and Mary was so involved her followers became known as "Mrs Barbour's Army".

The movement culminated in November 1915 with a demonstration by about 20,000 people in Glasgow. Shortly after, the Government passed the Rent Restriction Act, which protected thousands from unfair eviction.

It was in everyone's interest to prevent civil unrest in such times and Mary's actions not only helped ordinary people, they contributed to the war effort.

Only three named women are commemorated with statues in Glasgow.

One is Queen Victoria and the second is Lady Isabella Elder, whose statue can be found in Elder Park, which she laid out in memory of her shipbuilder husband.

She also established Govan's Elder Cottage Hospital and set up much-needed training for district nurses.

The other female statue, next to Central Station Bridge, is Dolores Ibarruri – La Pasionaria. She was a Republican leader during the Spanish Civil War and backed Stalin's purge against fellow Communists, which led to torture and executions. It was only the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia that made her question Communism.

Mary Barbour, on the other hand, not only helped improve the lives of thousands of impoverished families, she fought for free milk for schoolchildren, pensions for mothers, wash houses, laundries and public baths. She pioneered the city's first family-planning clinic.

GIVEN the choice between Dolores and Mary, I know who Glasgow should commemorate.

A committee led by former Labour MP Maria Fyfe hopes to erect a Mary statue in time for the rent strike centenary next year.

I have different politics to Mary, but recognise a courageous, compassionate and campaigning woman set on improving her city and the lives of its people.

Glasgow celebrates plenty of its famous sons, and it is time we also celebrated the accomplishments of our daughters.