Scottish Parliament election: Glasgow Anniesland constituency in focus

It is a diverse constituency taking in Drumchapel, Yoker, Knightswood, Scotstoun, Broomhill and Whiteinch.

It has almost half it is local communities( 44%) in the 20% most deprived in Scotland but it also takes in more affluent neighbourhoods, like Jordanhill, in the 20% least deprived.

Railway bridge at Anniesland Cross. It is a diverse constituency, with some of Glasgow's most deprived areas and some of its richest

The three secondary schools in the area take most of their pupils from the more deprived communities and all have been showing improvement in pupils getting qualifications.

READ MORE:Election 2021 What the candidates for Glasgow Anniesland say ahead of poll

Drumchapel High has more than 80% of its pupils from the most deprived areas.

It has more than doubled the number of pupils who left with one higher from 9% in 2017 to 19% in 2019.

Knightswood secondary has more than 50% of pupils in the most deprived areas. It has improved attainment at higher lever from 53% getting one higher in 2017 to 62% in 2019.

St Thomas Aquinas has more than 60% of pupils from deprived areas and improved from 65% achieving at least one higher in 2017 to 72% two years later.

Beta Sayadnasir, owner of Pet's Paradise in Great Western Road

The diversity in the area is reflected in it including the grant-maintained state-funded Jordanhill Secondary with a protected catchment area pushing up house prices and also the private High School of Glasgow with most of its pupils coming from outside the constituency.

It includes much social housing and many new build areas in Drumchapel.

The constituency includes several local high streets and shopping areas. including at Knightswood, Drumchapel, Dumbarton Road and Anniesland.

At Anniesland Cross in the heart of the constituency, there are many businesses employing people and serving the community.

Local independent business owners are looking forward to life after lockdown where people in the area have the freedom to travel and shop again.

Beta Sayadnasir and her husband own Charming Pets on Great Western Road at Anniesland Cross.

She said: “It is a new business We thought it would be a busy area with different shops bringing people here.

“We also live near here. We were looking for a place with lots of different shops and also where the rent is not too expensive. We are the only pet shop in the area.

“It is a good area it is very busy, the people are good and the transport is good with the buses and the trains.”

Gary Maclean owns Hyacinth House Floristry on Crow Road.

He grew up nearby in Temple and was looking for premises after he retrained as a florist after working for years as a landscaper, taking over the site four years ago.

Gary said the last year has been tough and he hoped people will ­return to shopping in person.

He said: “With products like ours people want to come out and visit the garden centre and see what they are buying. I want to see what I buy in from suppliers and customers are the same.

“We can also give them advice on planting and care for their plants. It’s about more than just buying goods.

“Brexit is also a problem. It’s difficult to get supplies from some places in Europe.

“Wholesalers tell me that it is easier for growers to do business within the EU.”

Anniesland provided political drama in 2011 when Bill Kidd won the seat for the SNP overturning a 4000 plus Labour majority, winning by just seven votes after a ­recount.

Kidd increased the SNP majority four years later to more than 6000 but there is still a strong Labour vote across the communities.

What the politicians are saying... 

FOUR parties are fielding candidates in the Glasgow Anniesland constituency...

Here's what the candidates had to say: 

Ade Abinu, Scottish Conservatives, said: “All of our focus must be on our recovery and rebuilding our communities in Glasgow Anniesland. Local people, businesses and families remain worried about their health, their jobs and livelihoods, their children’s education and effects Covid has had on their local area.

 “The last thing communities need is another divisive referendum which the SNP want to hold in the next two years.

Eva Murray, Scottish Labour Party, said: “I’ve lived in Glasgow Anniesland my whole life, so I’ve is seen first-hand what 14 years of SNP cuts have done to the communities I’m so proud to call home.

“We deserve an MSP who is a visible part of our community; one who will prioritise the needs of constituents; one focussed on unity and recovery, not division and distractions. As your Scottish Labour and Co-operative candidate, I will be Anniesland’s voice in Holyrood.”

The Scottish Liberal Democrats said of their candidate, Mark Simons: “Mark grew up in Drumchapel in the north-west of Glasgow. He joined the Liberal Democrats in 2018 while studying Politics and Philosophy at Glasgow University. 

“Since that time he has worked to represent the interests and improve the lives of the people of Glasgow. Mark believes strongly that the reason government exists is to make people’s lives the best that they can be.”

Bill Kidd, SNP, said: “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Anniesland for the last 10 years, and I am determined to build on what we have achieved – through SNP commitments like a National Care Service, 100,000 affordable homes, and doubling the Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week.

“Only giving both votes to the SNP in May will re-elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”