Monday’s “Herald” carried a report on a possible Labour & LibDem coalition in the Council after the May elections. Then on Wednesday LibDem leader Christopher Mason wrote in denying any such talks. The SNP in Glasgow views all of this with some amusement!

In the first place Christopher Mason is well known for proclaiming his views on anything and everything to anyone who will listen and that certainly includes to Labour’s Steven Purcell. So the idea that they would need a go-between to arrange meetings seems somewhat far-fetched.

Secondly it indicates how Labour are in fear that their long-time “right” to run the City may be coming to an end.

Thirdly it would be no great surprise to anyone if Labour & the LibDems in Glasgow fell into bed together. They are in coalition in Edinburgh and the LibDems in Glasgow have tended to support the Labour establishment on controversial issues. For example, at the time of Glasgow’s housing stock transfer, when many Labour councillors were squirming with embarrassment, Christopher Mason was out there proclaiming the virtues of transfer.

The SNP’s John Mason said, “All of this probably clarifies things for the electorate. If you want the status quo in May with arrogant Labour councillors running the City and treating the citizens with contempt, vote either Labour or LibDem. The two parties are virtually the same and are most likely to form a coalition. So voting LibDem is effectively a vote for Labour. However, if you want a more radical party to challenge the status quo, then the SNP is your clear choice. It is almost unimaginable that a larger SNP Council Group would in any way help to keep Labour in power in Glasgow.”