Councillor Bailie Gordon Matheson is new leader of Glasgow City Council

While all eyes were on Westminster today watching the outcome of the talks between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and then the resignation speech of Gordon Brown here in Scotland there were political announcements of our own.

Councillor Bailie Matheson, of Anderston/City ward in Glasgow has been a Councillor since 1999.

He was elected as the new leader of Glasgow City Council following the shock resignation of the former disgraced leader Steven Purcell back at the beginning of March who initially claimed he was standing down because of stress, then admitted it was cocaine use.

Councillor Matheson was voted in as leader at a meeting of Labour group members this morning. Councillor Archie Graham will be his depute.


Councillor Matheson takes over from interim leader Jim Coleman.

He has previously held the positions of City Treasurer and Executive Member for Education.