Who's In Whose Pocket In Glasgow?
I plan to update my 'Who's In Whose Pocket In Glasgow?' post ahead of the local council elections on May 5 2022.
But a quick glance at things in May 2021 showed that no less that three Scottish Ministers - Nicola Sturgeon, Humza Yousaf and Ivan McKee - employed local SNP councillors in their Glasgow constituency offices.
The problem is that if local councillors depend on Scottish Ministers/MSPs or MPs for a large part of their income, how likely are they to speak out and stand up for the interests of their local communities - when push comes to shove.
To my mind there's a clear conflict of interest which helps explain why local government in Scotland has lost its voice after 15 years of SNP rule.
Who's In Whose Pocket In Glasgow? March 17, 2022
My 2021 post about 'Who's In Whose Pocket In Glasgow?' needs updating, but it does highlight a common practice whereby MSPs, Scottish Ministers and MPs recruit local councillors to work in their offices - even when some of the councillors involved already have full-time, well-paid council jobs.
No wonder Scottish local government has lost its once powerful voice.
Who's In Whose Pocket In Glasgow? (January 21, 2022)
Glasgow City Council's 'Register of Interests' records information about councillors' remuneration although few councillors bother even to explain their own council salaries never mind details of other paid employment.
The entries in this blog post now need updating, but the details were recorded from the GCC register which was in force in prior to the council elections in May 2021.
Lots of information is deliberately not included in the register, such as the time councillors spend working for other MSPs and MPs, but it makes very interesting reading nonetheless.
The current minimum salary for a part-time, backbench councillor is £18,604 which is two-thirds of a notional full-time rate of £27,906.
Senior councillors are paid enhanced, full-time salaries because of their additional responsibilities including the Glasgow council leader who is paid a salary of £55,817.
1) Cllr Alexander Belic
Employed by Alison Thewliss MP
2) Cllr Eva Bolander
Employed by:
Carol Monaghan MP
Sandra White MSP (now retired)
3) Cllr Graham Campbell
Employed by:
Anne McLaughlin MP
4) Cllr Christina Cannon
Employed by:
Humza Yousaf MSP and Scottish Minister
Anne McLaughlin MP
Ivan McKee and Scottish Minister
Kirsten Oswald
5) Cllr Allan Casey
Employed by:
Ivan McKee MSP and Scottish Minister
Anne McLaughlin MP
6) Cllr Annette Christie
Employed by:
Anne McLaughlin MP
Ivan McKee MSP and Scottish Minister
7) Cllr Laura Doherty
Employed by:
Margaret Ferrier MP
8) Michelle Ferns (now ALBA)
Employed by:
Natalie McGarry MP
David Linden MP
9) Cllr Mhairi Hunter
Employed by:
Nicola Sturgeon MSP and Scottish Minister
10) Cllr Ruari Kelly
Employed by:
Anne McLaughlin MP
11) Cllr Jennifer Leyden
Employed by:
Humza Yousaf MSP and Scottish Minister
12) Cllr David Turner
Employed by:
David Linden MP
Stewart McDonald MP
