These have been an extraordinary couple of weeks

 

The passing of Her Majesty has brought to a close the longest reign of any monarch in the history of these islands, one characterised by an unwavering devotion and dedication to service.

The Queen’s funeral on Monday was a historic landmark. Like millions across the world, many thousands of Glaswegians will have marked the occasion with solemnity and reflection. Many others will have simply chosen to witness one of the biggest public events in their lifetime unfold before them.

Scotland was special to the Queen and she made many visits to Glasgow, from a young princess at the Empire Exhibition in the 1930s through to her memorable opening of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Her recognition of the warmth of our people gave many Glaswegians a particular sense of pride in that special moment in our city’s history.

I want to take this opportunity to give my thanks to some of those who have ensured Glasgow, and indeed Scotland, have been able to pay their respects to the Queen.

Members of staff from the neighbourhoods, regeneration and sustainability department stepped up at short notice to answer a call to support the safe and timely procession of the Queen’s final Scottish journey from St Giles’ Cathedral to Edinburgh Airport.

The hour-long procession of the royal cortege was an enormous logistical undertaking and more than 100 members of the team provided support to marshal the procession safely.

While much of the city stopped on Monday to pay its respects, the council continued to provide the essential services required to support our most vulnerable citizens and to keep Glasgow going. I thank all our dedicated staff who kept doing their day jobs while the majority of the population observed the special bank holiday.

I’d also like to give a special thanks to our Lord Provost Jaki McLaren and her team for the leading role they’ve played since the Queen’s death. In her capacity as Lord Lieutenant – the monarch’s representative in Glasgow – it’s the responsibility of the Lord Provost and her officers to put in place the protocols for occasions such as this, as well as to formally represent the city in Edinburgh and London at the passing of the cortege and the funeral. Jaki and her office have done Glasgow proud.

Within hours of Her Majesty’s death, a book of condolence was opened to the general public and the front wall of the City Chambers made a focal point for floral tributes. The Lord Provost also took a lead role in organising the Proclamation of King Charles III in George Square and accompanied Princess Anne during her visit to the City Chambers. I was glad to be able to have the opportunity then to directly offer my sympathies for the loss suffered by the princess and her family. Amid the very public mourning, this has of course also been a personal bereavement for the Queen’s family, which is one of the reasons why it has struck an empathetic chord with so many. Most of us have experienced a similar loss at some time in our lives.

Of course, there are many Glaswegians for whom, for a whole variety of reasons, the passing of the Queen does not feel relevant to their everyday lives, and other for whom it holds significance because it marks a potential turning point in how people across these islands think about the role of a hereditary monarchy in a modern democracy. Those feelings and viewpoints are as legitimate at this time as at any other and it’s vital that people are free to express them openly. But there are also many thousands who are mourning her death and who feel a sense of personal loss. For generations of Glaswegians she represented something constant, a fixed point of inspiration and reassurance in their lives. In paying our respects to the Queen, it’s important that we seek to understand and respect the views of those whose reactions to this moment may not be the same as our own.

Over the past fortnight, politics in Glasgow have been put on hold. On the Queen’s passing, myself and leaders of the council’s other political groups took the decision that committees would not meet until after the funeral.

The business of the council, of politics and policies resumes at a time of significant and multiple challenges. As we rise to meet those challenges, we do so in a new era.