I AM tremendously proud to be Glaswegian.
Proud of our city, our people and our culture. And proud of Labour's record in transforming Glasgow.
Glasgow Labour has a proven record of achievement. Ours was the first local authority in Scotland to introduce a living wage.
We operate the UK's largest and most successful apprenticeship scheme for school leavers.
We have rebuilt or refurbished every secondary school in the city, provided 15 hours free childcare for all three-year-olds before the rest of Scotland, delivered new jobs for young people, graduates and the over 50s, and won the Commonwealth Games for Glasgow.
And we have delivered all of this while freezing council tax for the last seven years.
Our actions have set Glasgow apart. We were the only major city in the UK where unemployment fell in 2011 and youth unemployment rose at a fraction of the Scottish and UK average.
School attainment in the city is at an all-time high and the number of young people going on to university has risen for each of the last 10 years.
Glasgow is now one of Europe's top financial centres, a tourist destination of international standing and the UK's top retail destination outside of London.
None of this has happened by accident.
But we have much more to do. I have published a manifesto that sets out not just our record, but a clear vision for the future.
Our 100 policies are clear, ambitious and we will deliver every single one of them.
From cradle to grave, the council will provide services that make our city brilliant. Three-year-olds will be able to start their free childcare up to five months early. Every primary school in the city will be rebuilt or refurbished.
Labour's Glasgow Guarantee means everyone aged 16-24 will be guaranteed an apprenticeship, job or training.
We will build 3500 homes for rent and help first-time buyers with their mortgage deposit.
We've got a scheme to help the over 50s out of work. We are vigorously opposing the cuts to buses being imposed on Glasgow and will increase community transport.
And when the Tories cut the winter fuel allowance for older pensioners, your Labour council gave it straight back to them and will do so for the next five years.
So we are bringing forward plans that will help Glaswegians, but as well as our distinct vision for the next five years, Labour is unique as the only political party that will put Glasgow's interests first.
WE will work constructively with the UK and Scottish Governments, but we are not beholden to them.
Whether on welfare reform, cuts to housing or threats to vital local bus and train services, we are on Glasgow's side. No other party can say this.
There are some commentators and those in the SNP who claim the local election is a stepping stone to the referendum.
But let us warn them – no-one steps on Glasgow. The local elections on May 3 are all about putting Glasgow first – and Labour will always put Glasgow first.
I'M very proud to be a Glaswegian. Glasgow is Scotland's leading city and a fantastic place to live and work.
It's a great privilege to be leading the campaign to win Glasgow City Council for the SNP. The SNP is determined to make life better for the people of Glasgow.
Over the past five years, SNP councillors have worked to earn your trust in their wards.
We've learned a lot about how the council itself operates. We've seen what works, what doesn't work and where improvements can be made to give you the services you deserve.
But our manifesto wasn't drawn up on the basis of the changes we want to see. It is based on the changes you want to see.
Over the past 18 months we have surveyed 20,000 Glaswegians across the city, asking them what issues matter most to them and how they want to see council services improved.
An SNP council can deliver real improvements. We'll get the basics right, with better maintained roads and cleaner streets through tough action on dog fouling, littering and flytippers.
We will work with the Scottish Government to improve education. Every three and four-year-old will be guaranteed at least 600 hours per year of free nursery education. And we will roll out a systematic school building and refurbishment programme, as well as leading a new drive to raise attainment in schools.
On the economy, we will guarantee every 16 to 24-year-old a place in education or training, through £5million investment and greater support for small businesses to create and retain jobs.
New green energy schemes and improved recycling rates can save the city money as well as helping the environment.
We will ensure at least 3500 new homes for rent are built in the city, as well as working with the Scottish Government to deal more effectively with problems in the private rented sector.
In social care, we will ensure carers are central to the policy process. Faster assessments and better integrated delivery of care across health and social work will provide people with more choice and control over their support.
We will maintain the council tax freeze for Glaswegians, helping ordinary households in difficult times. We will ensure no compulsory redundancies amongst our workforce and pay our staff a living wage.
We will be open and upfront about our plans. We won't take decisions without consulting the people who are affected by them.
We will listen to you and we'll make it easier for you to let us know if we are getting things wrong by introducing a petitions committee the council has to listen to.
Nationally, we will set Glasgow on a more constructive path with colleagues in other councils and public bodies.
Glasgow has a leading position in Scottish local government and an SNP administration will work to get the best deal for our city and local government as a whole.
We'll also have a more constructive relationship with the Scottish Government.
Glasgow benefits from significant Scottish Government investment such as the new Southern General Hospital, M74, Fastlink, Subway investment and new Scottish Futures Trust schools – and we can do more.
I'M not going to make you any false promises. Council budgets are tight, just as household budgets are tight.
But we can make progress by working constructively with our colleagues in the council and in the Scottish Government and, most importantly, with the people of Glasgow.
We've shown what can be achieved with an SNP government nationally and we can do the same with an SNP council in Glasgow. Together, we can make Glasgow better.
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VIVIENNE NICOLL met the leaders of the two largest groups in the City Chambers as they outlined their agenda for Glasgow