THE past week has been one of celebration for the city council.

That may be hard to believe given the recent opinion polls which suggest members of the ruling Labour group in the City Chambers could see their colleagues in Westminster virtually wiped out in Scotland at the hands of the SNP.

Behind the scenes, the city's 45 Labour councillors must be desperately hoping the tide turns before the next local government elections in May 2017.

It was former Prime Minister Harold Wilson who said a week is a long time in politics.

And for some of our elected representatives on the council the next two-and-a-half years will seem like an eternity.

The Nationalist group will be desperately hoping the tide continues to flow in their favour and that they will eventually be able to snatch control of Glasgow.

Labour, on the other hand, will be hoping whoever emerges as the new leader of the party in Scotland can stem the flood of voters to the other side.

But while our councillors have been out of sight in their offices poring over the opinion polls, in public they have been celebrating the people who make Glasgow such a great city and the heroes who fight and fought to protect the Dear Green Place.

The first event of the week was the launch of Baby's First Christmas which sees the Lord Provost welcome our newest arrivals.

It is a touching annual festive ritual which highlights the warmth and welcoming nature of Scotland's largest city.

Each year, hundreds of proud mums and dads register for a chance to take their bonny babies to a special event in the Chambers where they are given a keepsake of the occasion.

Lord Provost Sadie Docherty was also on hand to unveil a newly restored memorial to World War II hero James Stokes who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for outstanding bravery.

Vandals had damaged the bronze rose which pays tribute to the Gorbals soldier but thanks to the efforts of the council it has been restored.

On Friday, Mrs Docherty handed out her awards to the men and women who have who have helped make the city great.

They ranged from people who have raised thousands of pounds for charity, to leading academics, sporting stars and a top rock musician. At the weekend, Mrs Docherty welcomed the Royal Marines to Glasgow to present them with the Freedom of the City.

The elite servicemen and women are celebrating their 350th anniversary and as a birthday gift, Glasgow decided to present them with its highest honour.

The top Royal Marine in the UK said they were humbled to have been selected for the honour but it is one they have earned though outstanding bravery.

vivienne.nicoll@eveningtimes.co.uk