WITH the General Election fast approaching, I, like thousands of others, have been busy campaigning across the city.

On the doorstep, the message from Glasgow is clear - we want the Tories out.

But the reality is that the Tories are seeking re-election on a promise of deeper and more traumatic cuts than before.

If tackling poverty, creating jobs and saving public services are to be prioritised, then we need to vote for a party that truly cares about social justice.

That is why I was delighted by Scottish Labour's recent announcement of a 5 point plan to tackle poverty:

€¢ Abolition of the hated bedroom tax across Britain will fund Labour's £175million Scottish Anti-Poverty Fund, which will be used to end the need for food banks.

€¢ Central government targets for benefit sanctions will be abolished, meaning that the welfare state will support Scots in genuine need, rather than punish and humiliate those who need help.

€¢ Exploitative zero hours contracts will be banned, the Living Wage will be promoted and the Minimum Wage will be increased, creating work that pays and ending the Tory scandal of in-work poverty.

€¢ Out of control living costs will be challenged by stopping increases in energy bills and banning rip off rent rises.

€¢ And predatory pay day lenders will be hit with significant tax increases to stop them exploiting the poor.

These are real policies for the people of Scotland.

They are the right things to do. And Labour is the only party in Scotland promising them.

The party with the most seats forms the government.

Only Labour is big and strong enough across Britain to beat the Tories.

This election is about booting out the Tories so we can invest in services, create real jobs that pay a fair wage and protect our most vulnerable.

Labour is the only party offering the policies at UK level that Glasgow needs - and only Labour can kick the Tories out of government.

FOLLOWING a stunning 2014 in Glasgow, I have said time and again that our many successes last year represent not the summit of our ambition, but a new base camp for the city.

Last week I was delighted to announce that Glasgow will co-host a major new international event with Berlin, the inaugural European Sports Championships in 2018.

This new competition will bring together Europe's elite sportspeople, in sports such as athletics, cycling and swimming.

The games will boost our economy and support tens of thousands of local jobs.

They will build upon the lasting benefits of the Commonwealth Games.

And in front of a TV audience of 850million, Glasgow's best asset - our people - will shine for the world to see.