Labour said it will focus on the services people want delivered and accused its opponents the SNP of only being interested in independence.

The SNP has won the last General Election in the city and the last two Holyrood elections, having more MSPs elected than Labour in 2001 and 2016.

Frank McAveety, council leader said Labour had the priorities of the people at its heart as it seeks to retain its last power base in the city.

He said: “Our plans are for childcare, cleaning city investing in jobs and the SNP plan is for independence. That’s the clear choice facing the people of Glasgow.

“Glasgow is the cradle of the Labour Party and we are determined to ensure that the city still believes that Labour can make a difference in people’s lives.”

He said the council has delivered on its priorities despite having its budget cut year after year by the SNP at Holyrood.

He said: “When Labour has been in Government in Scotland and in the UK we were reducing inequality and level s of child poverty and our track record is making a difference

“For 10 years we have had a government saying they are committed to tackling inequality but using it as a backdrop to the bigger issue of the constitution at the same time slashed our budgets.”

Mr McAveety said he is confident of retaining power and leading a team of 43 Labour councillors

“We are standing 43 candidates. We were spot on the last time when we were just 100 votes short of getting every candidate elected.”

A number of councillors some long serving other after just one term standing down, Mr McAveety said there are 13 Labour candidates new to politics.