Glasgow faces severe problems on several fronts after a £110m black hole bombshell, and needs help to prosper, according to a hard-hitting report.
City's history of reinvention
Glasgow has proved time and again it's capable of remarkable reinvention. What began as a sleepy cathedral town centuries ago grew to become the second city of the British Empire.
By 1800, the city was exploding in terms of population, industry and commercial might. The post-war period saw a brutal period of deindustrialisation and slum clearance.
The population fell sharply. Margaret Thatcher's extreme free-market policies left the city in tatters as unemployment soared and communities were torn apart by poverty and drug misuse.
But the city did not simply lay down and wither away. By the year 2000, Glasgow was reborn as a thriving cultural hub, with an incredible music and culture sector.
Severe problems highlighted
Now boasting three universities, thousands of students from around the world choose to begin their adult lives in the city. The success of hosting dozens of major sporting tournaments, including two Commonwealth Games, put the city on the global map.
But there is no hiding from the fact Glasgow faces severe problems on several fronts – as highlighted by the report. Too many Glaswegians continue to live lives blighted by poverty. Homelessness is out of control and costing the city tens of millions each year.
The city's political leaders – both SNP and Labour – have failed to rise to the challenges facing Scotland's biggest city. The Scottish Government and the local authority have failed the city.
Task force and mayor proposed
A new task force, comprised of local and national government, businesses and local people, is needed to come up with new ways to make Glasgow flourish. A city mayor – or super-provost – directly elected by citizens could also help revitalise the Dear, Green Place.
