SNP members today joined First Minister Alex Salmond in paying tribute to trade unionist Jimmy Reid.

Jimmy Reid joined the SNP in 2005 and regularly lent his support to candidates on the campaign trail.  Jimmy Reid was also life President of the SNP Trade Union Group.

Nicola Sturgeon MSP for Govan said: “Jimmy Reid is a name that will always ring out proudly in Govan.  Jimmy was a Clydeside legend who in no small way is to thank for the fact we still have shipyards at Govan and Scotstoun. People here had great affection for Jimmy Reid, he belonged to Govan and will be greatly missed.

Anne McLaughlin MSP (Glasgow) and her colleague Bob Doris MSP (Glasgow) have welcomed comments from Mike Lees, Managing Director of Tennent Caledonian Breweries, backing the SNP Government's plans for a minimum price on alcohol to help combat misuse.

Commenting on the endorsement of the policy Ms McLaughlin said: "The consensus grows yet again. Scotland has a problem with alcohol misuse and I'm glad to hear that one of the biggest players in the industry are taking their responsibility seriously and backing these tough measures.

SNP MSPs Anne McLaughlin and Bob Doris have today hit out at Labour's newest MP Willie Bain. The two Glasgow MSPs accused the MP who was elected on 12 Nov of failing on a key local promise to open a full time constituency office within a month if elected.

The SNP have learned that Willie Bain will in actual fact be opening his constituency office today, one month past the promised deadline.

Sandra White MSP attended the Hillhead High School Winter Concert 2009 meeting the teachers and pupils form the Scholl along with donating this year's Christmas tree.

The evening included various performances from the Schools Jazz Band; Choir; Ceilidh band; guitar group; The DeadWeightz; Belle Manning; Erin McQuarrie; Hannah Forsyth; Jane Robinson; S3 AllStarz and Percussion Ensemble.

Glasgow MSPs, Anne McLaughlin and Bob Doris, are urging people to support the Caring Christmas Tree scheme in Glasgow this year. Cash raised from the sale of trees will help to raise funds for Impact Arts in Glasgow, a charity that supports vulnerable young people who have either experienced homelessness, are at risk of abuse or who have left school unable to get a job or access further education. 

Gray's authority as Labour leader once again undermined

Commenting on suggestions made at a conference on Glasgow's economy by the Labour leader of Glasgow Council, Stephen Purcell, that  free school meals should be abolished to pay for  the GARL project and that the Border's Rail link backed by Lothian Labour MSPs should be scrapped SNP MSP Sandra White said: "It doesn’t take long for the Labour mask to slip. Rejecting free school meals doesn’t say much about them being a party of social justice.

The eighth annual Merchant City Festival has been hailed as a huge success helping it to become one of the most exciting and colourful fixtures of Glasgow's vibrant events' calendar.

The four day event which took place from Friday the 24th of September till Sunday the 27th of September included over 300 performances across 80 venues and attracted a record number of visitors with over 65,000 people attending. Audience numbers on Saturday were 30% higher than the previous year and much of this increase was attributed to the strong links and partnerships which have been forged by the organisers with groups from across the world.