SNP hail increase in councillors

There will 22 SNP councillors at the city chambers in Glasgow

The SNP group leader at Glasgow City Council has pledged to challenge Labour's supremacy in the city.

Labour retained overall control of the local authority, which has been a party stronghold for decades.

But the SNP were the main beneficiaries of last week's local government vote and have increased their number of councillors from 4 to 22.

A party statement said that the result was "amazing" and described the increase as the first "step forward".

John Mason, SNP group leader, said: "I thought getting 21 councillors was maybe more than we could expect, so to get 22 is unbelievable.

"To have two councillors out of four in the Baillieston ward, in one of Labour's safest constituencies, is the icing on the cake.

New politics

"I congratulate each of the new SNP councillors on fighting a great campaign."

Of 79 councillors, Labour returned 45, SNP 22, the Greens and Liberal Democrat returned five, and Solidarity and the Conservatives one apiece.

At the last election, Labour had 71 councillors. Steven Purcell, the council leader, said he was delighted that Glaswegians had backed the Labour party.

He said: "We must now ensure that every Glaswegian can be part of this and that will be my top priority for the next four years.

"There is a new politics in Glasgow. This council looks very different from anything which has gone before and it's important all parties work together for the good of the city."