A GLASGOW MP has demanded a rethink after a college merger proposed to cut its links with a Clydeside hero.

Margaret Curran, has written to the government to demand the name of a planned merger of three colleges – including John Wheatley College – be dropped.

Instead, she insists, the new name should maintain a link with the Red Clydesider John Wheatley, who was a prominent socialist politician in the 1910s and 1920s.

The board of management set up to oversee the merger of Stow College, North Glasgow College and John Wheatley College has proposed the new institution be called GCol – New Glasgow College.

A campaign has also been launched to name the newly-merged college after Glasgow's first female councillor, Mary Barbour.

Ms Curran slammed the college bosses plans, demanding that the links to the former Glasgow councillor and Shettleston MP be maintained.

She said she had written to the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Michael Russell, to urge him to reject the name.

Ms Curran said: "There are few historical figures of more importance to Glasgow than John Wheatley.

"His radical spirit and commitment to social justice represent all that is great about our city and it is vital that he is not forgotten.

"He has been honoured by the current John Wheatley College since its creation in 1989 and it would be a real shame for the connection to be lost after the merger. Maintaining the connection will keep his memory alive."

Mr Wheatley was elected to a Shettleston seat on Lanarkshire county council in 1910 and held it for Labour in 1912 when Shettleston was incorporated into Glasgow.

As a councillor he specialised in housing and the need for building houses for letting at fair rents, he opposed Britain's declaration of war on Germany, opposed conscription and went on to become chairman of the Scottish Housing Association before winning a seat in parliament in 1922, which he held until his death in 1930.

As reported in the Evening Times yesterday, a campaign has been launched to name the new college after the city's first female councillor, Mrs Barbour.

Ms Curran added: "There has been a strong reaction against the proposed name in Glasgow. I am disappointed to lose the connection with John Wheatley."

matty.sutton@eveningtimes.co.uk