LABOUR and the SNP brought out big hitters to help launch their council election manifestos.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that Labour has let Glasgow down and the chance to vote in an SNP led council was a “historic opportunity”.

While Labour brought the party’s UK deputy leader, Tom Watson, to the city, who said the SNP can’t be trusted with public services as it had imposed damaging cuts to the council’s budget.

With the prospect of a second referendum threatening to overshadow the council elections he said that a vote for Labour can send a message that a referendum is not wanted and instead investment in public services is.

Ms Sturgeon joined SNP group leader in Glasgow, Susan Aitken, for the party’s manifesto launch.

The First Minister said that local people would have more control under a SNP administration.

She said: “The people of Glasgow have an historic opportunity to elect this city’s first ever SNP led administration that would give communities serious power to deliver real change.

“This is the most detailed manifesto for Glasgow that the SNP has ever produced, where we pledge to be the bold, ambitious and responsive administration that this city deserves.

“For far too long our communities have been let down by Labour. But we will not let you down.

“We know that local people know best, which is why the days of top-down decision-making will be over for good under the SNP.”

Mr Watson joined Labour council leader, Frank McAveety, at the party’s manifesto launch and said Labour has invested in services despite cuts to its budget.

He said “Despite SNP austerity, it is Labour councillors who are fighting day in, day out for Glasgow.

“It is Labour councillors who have invested in the city’s schools and services, created jobs and built houses.

He added: “You can trust Labour to deliver on public services but you can’t trust the SNP. Every time there’s a vote in Holyrood the SNP backs cuts that hurt Glasgow and communities across Scotland. “

The Evening Times is holding a special election hustings, supported by City of Glasgow College and Wheatley Group where Mr McAveety and Ms Aitken will be quizzed by readers on election issues along with candidates from the Greens, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats.

It takes place on Tuesday April 18 at City of Glasgow College, Cathedral Street, at 6pm.

For tickets contact Lyndsay Wilson on 0141 302 7407 or lyndsay.wilson@heraldandtimes.co.uk

The election is on May 4.