Election Glasgow 2022: who will win in the west

In Hillhead, two themes were recurring when people were asked about the area.

Litter and recycling facilities and the state of pavements were raised by people who said money needs to be spent on these issues.

Byres Road was busy with shoppers and people enjoying the sunshine and sitting outside bars and cafes.

READ MORE: Election Glasgow 2022. Call for council to clean up the streets of north Glasgow

Hazel Boyce said: “Have you seen the pavements. They don’t get repaired.

“There are not enough recycling bins. There used to be six now it’s down to two and they are overflowing. It’s a mess.”

Paul Holloway, manager of Rodger’s Butchers, said: “The pavements are broken, there are loose slabs and broken bits.

Paul Holloway, Rodgers Butchers by Gordon Terris

“It’s a big problem particularly for older people. The bins on the street are also overflowing.

READ MORE: Council elections Glasgow 2022 battle in the east for city seats

“There is a problem with parking and access for businesses. It’s £700 for a space. There could be more leeway for businesses.”

Tom Ahern and Joan Ahern from neighbouring Kelvindale, were out with their dog Cooper.

Tom and Joan Ahern, with Cooper

Tom said: “The roads and pavements are badly damaged and are not being repaired.”

Joan added: “It’s so bad in some streets that for people using wheelchairs or pushing a pram it can be inaccessible.”

Byres Road had many broken tiles and noticeable cracks that need repaired. Side streets had big potholes which were also frustrating people.

Hillhead takes in much of the west end from St George’s Cross to Byres Road and from North Kelvinside at Maryhill Road to Kelvingrove Park, taking in the Park Circus area Kelvinbridge and Woodlands.

It covers some of the more affluent areas of the city and also has many students and a high number of Houses in Multiple Occupation.

At the last election, the Greens were top on first preference votes with Martha Wardrop elected at the first stage of counting taking 1718 votes, 25% of all first choices ahead of the SNP on 1508 and Labour on 1457.

After the LibDem and Conservative candidates were excluded and their votes transferred, Labour’s Hanzala Malik was elected second, ahead of Ken Andrew of the SNP, who then took the third seat.

Martha Wardrop is seeking re-election as is Hanzala Malik and Ken Andrew.

The ward seems to be a bit of a Green stronghold, to the extent that the SNP and Labour are only standing one candidate, knowing they are unlikely to win a second seat there.

However, with the SNP only standing one candidate this time, based on previous results they could be expected to come out ahead of the Greens on first preferences this time.

The Partick East/Kelvindale ward saw one of the four seats change hands during the five year term.

The Conservatives won a councillor in 2017 with Tony Curtis taking more than 2000 votes and level with the SNP candidate, with both elected at the first stage. The Greens and Labour also won seats.

However, Tony Curtis was thrown out as a councillor for failing to turn up at meetings and in the by election Labour sprung a surprise and Jill Brown won the seat.

It was considered that Conservatives and LibDem supporters voted tactically to stop the SNP winning another seat. It will be interesting to see whether the party retains that support or if was only on loan.

Long serving councillor Martin Bartos is not standing again after he left the Green group he is replaced on the ballot by Blair Anderson.

The SNP and Labour are standing two candidates, the Greens, Tories, LibDems, Alba and Freedom Alliance are standing one.

In Victoria Park, which covers Whiteinch, Broomhill and Jordanhill, the SNP, Labour and Conservatives each tool one seat in 2017. The parties are again only standing one candidate each in the ward.

The SNP took the most votes last time with The Tories second and Labour edging out the Greens for the third seat with fewer than 40 votes late in the counting process.

The Greens, LibDems and Alba are also standing looking to make a breakthrough in the ward.

In Drumchapel/Anniesland, former Labour MSP, Patricia Ferguson, is looking to make a return to elected politics, standing for Labour alongside sitting councillor, Paul Carey. The SNP are standing three candidates.

Last time the ward elected two Labour and two SNP.

One of the Labour winners, Anne McTaggart switched parties midway through the term to join the SNP. She is a candidate for the SNP this time.

Elspeth Kerr is standing as an independent looking to retain the seat she won last time for the SNP before she quit the party.

The Conservatives, LibDems and Greens are putting up one candidate each as is the Scottish Socialist Party.

In Garscadden/Scotstounhill the SNP are looking to win three of the four seats up for grabs, while Labour are seeking to re-elect two councillors, ex MSP Bill Butler and deputy leader Eva Murray.

The SNP have education convenor Chris Cunningham seeking re-election with Malcolm Mitchell and Rosemary Ugbah also standing.

Last time The SNP and Labour both won two seats. The Greens, Conservatives and LibDems are also standing.