In Glasgow East the SNP is fielding its only city candidate who was not elected in 2015.

David Linden, who has worked as parliamentary aide to Alison Thewliss, is standing for election for the first time.

He was selected as SNP candidate when a vacancy arose after Natalie McGarry was suspended by the party after a police fraud investigation.

Labour did well in part of the seat at the council poll with Frank McAveety winning on first preference, but taken together the SNP’s three candidates narrowly out polled the two Labour by 2,853 to 2,774.

In neighbouring Baillieston however, the gap was wider, around 3,000 to 2,000.

Mr Linden said the election of Tory councillors has had an effect on voters.

He said people were not happy about it and he was finding more Labour voters considering voting SNP to counter any Tory rise.

He said: “The Labour no vote is now coalescing around the Tories.”

Mr Linden said his campaign is being fought on the UK welfare cut sand public sector cuts.

He said people were raising the Jobcentre closures in the east end and changes from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payments.

On constitutional grounds the yes vote has already moved to the SNP and Mr Linden said now the strongest no voters are moving towards the Tories.

With a SNP majority of more than 10,000 to protect the new candidate is hopeful of success.

He said: “I’m se no reason to believe they will move back to Labour.”