A STATUE to rent strike campaigner and women's rights pioneer Mary Barbour should be the first of many to recognise the role of women in the history of Glasgow, said a city MSP.

Earlier this month Glasgow City Council agreed to erect a memorial to the woman who organised others during the rent strikes in 1915 and led calls for women's rights and social housing.

A members' debate was held in the Scottish Parliament to recognise Mrs Barbour's achieve-ments and welcome the decision to erect a memorial.

Anne McTaggart, Glasgow Labour MSP, led the debate and was followed by speeches from Conservative, SNP and fellow Labour MSPs praising the pioneer.

Ms McTaggart said: "The case for a permanent memorial is compelling.

"As we move towards sourcing funding, it is significant in highlight-ing the absence of monuments to histori-cally significant women. It is vital in ensuring the contribution of women throughout history is not ignored."

Ms McTaggart praised the campaigners calling for a statue to mark the centenary of the rent strike in two years' time including former Maryhill MP Maria Fyfe and she commended Evening Times reporter Caroline Wilson for her "commitment and passion for the campaign".

Sandra White, Kelvin SNP MSP, echoed the concerns about the lack of monuments to important women.

While others have suggested George Square as the location for the memorial, Ms White said she would favour Govan, where Mrs Barbour lived and campaigned and was a councillor.

Patricia Ferguson Labour MSP for Mary-hill and Springburn said there was more than the rent strike to Mary Barbour.

She said: "Mary Barbour with her contemporaries made an impact that can be felt to this day.

"Without them social housing might not have come to pass."

Labour MSPs Hanzala Malik and Hugh Henry also spoke in the debate, and housing minister Margaret Burgess said: "She was an inspira-tional woman and a monument is a fitting tribute."

Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said Mrs Barbour's achievements were "substantial".

She added: "Mary Barbour was no ordinary politician; she was a campaigning force of nature."

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk