The Scottish National Party today (Monday) launched its campaign for the Glasgow City Council elections in May at an event this morning, and laid out the SNP's policy priorities for making Glasgow Flourish again.  These priorities include:

• Improving education in Glasgow, including upgrading poor school buildings
• Promoting increased recycling
• Placing a greater emphasis on improving public transport in the city
  

The SNP Depute Leader and Glasgow MSP Nicola Sturgeon joined with current SNP Council Group Leader Cllr John Mason to announce the Party's candidates in the May election, the first to be held under the fair Single Transferable Vote system.

The launch, which was held in Pollokshaws Burgh Halls, was attended by SNP candidates and activists from all over the city.

Speaking at the campaign launch, Nicola Sturgeon MSP said:

"It's time to make Glasgow flourish again, and that's why the SNP want to play our part in building a more successful and prosperous Glasgow for all.

"Glasgow has so much going for it. Glaswegians have a world-renowned city, with welcoming, talented people and a burning ambition to succeed. The SNP want to help harness our city's wonderful array of talents, and that's why we are committed to Glasgow's future success. Under this new electoral system, our aim is to ensure for the first time in our city's history that every one of Glasgow's citizens is represented by an SNP Councillor.

"We have lofty ambitions for Glasgow, but we are confident that by working hard we can prove to the voters across Glasgow that a vote for the SNP is a vote for a successful future for them and our city.

Cllr John Mason said:

"While the SNP nationally is making huge progress towards becoming the biggest party in the Scottish Parliament, recent polls also show that we are also making huge advances in Glasgow.  As people are switching away from Labour's negative message, more and more voters are turning to the SNP all over the city.

"The SNP's priorities are Glasgow's priorities.  We want to bring a fresh approach to our council by delivering on our policy priorities, which include improving education across Glasgow to boost our economy and give our young people the best start in life, and setting out a positive, green agenda for this great green city by promoting increased recycling and placing a greater emphasis on improving public transport.

"We want to give local people more control over their housing needs by allowing local tenants to take over ex-Council Housing from Glasgow Housing Association, and allow democratic control to remain over our cultural and leisure facilities rather than transferring these vital public assets to an unaccountable trust.

"Only the SNP can bring the fresh approach that Glasgow needs to build a successful future for our city.  All our candidates will be working hard over the next three months to earn the trust of voters that the others parties have taken for granted for decades.  It's time for Glasgow to flourish again."