Former Social Worker New Provost For Glasgow

A 70-year-old former senior social worker will become the new Lord Provost of Glasgow. Bob Winter beat former city treasurer Ruth Simpson by 30 votes to 13. Hanzala Malik, who had hoped to become the first Asian to hold the position in Scotland, had previously dropped out of the race.

Mr Winter was voted in by Labour colleagues in a private meeting yesterday, but will not be officially appointed until the first full council meeting scheduled for next Thursday.

The director of social work at Strathclyde Regional Council and trustee of Greater Glasgow Primary Care Trust can expect to put his passport to good use as ambassador for Scotland’s largest city, and will move into an office of Victorian opulence. The Herald also understands Mr Winter, who has pledged that his provostship will have a renewed local focus, was the choice of city council leader Steven Purcell, who was himself re-elected unopposed.

Mr Winter said: “Ruth would have made an excellent and very able Lord Provost but the Labour group had to make a choice and I’m delighted to be their candidate.”

Meanwhile, Mr Purcell attempted to fill positions with 24 fewer councillors than in the previous administration while also stamping authority on the various departments. Of the others, arguably the most difficult position to fill was left behind by former licensing board chairman Gordon Macdiarmid, who lost his seat in last week’s poll.

While his policies, including curbing drinks promotions and banning glass, polarised many in the licensed trade, he was widely seen as being capable and experienced, and was expected to steer Glasgow through the transition to its new licensing system.

His post went to veteran councillor and former Clydebank District Council chief executive James McNally. Mr McNally, member for the Newlands area of Glasgow’s south side with several years’ experience as a member of the licensing board, is also a Justice of the Peace and a member of the Chartered Association of Arbiters.

Others moving into prime positions included Jean McFadden, now Labour group chair, and Aileen Colleran, appointed chief whip. Stephen Curran was made city treasurer with Merchant City councillor Gordon Matheson heading up education.