THE past seven days really have illustrated some stark contrasts regarding Glasgow’s place in the world. Last week at the City Chambers we hosted a high-level event exploring how Brexit could impact upon Glasgow economically, socially and politically.

The prognosis wasn’t optimistic, to say the least. Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, the principal of Glasgow University and a leading economist, described removing the UK from the single market as “the most unhinged example of national self-sabotage in living memory”. Lord John Kerr, the author of Article 50 and a Glaswegian, told of his experience during the Second World War and the importance of being European. The Fraser of Allander Institute also provided details of how many jobs within the Glasgow region are directly related to the European Union. Their figure of 40,000 is, I believe, conservative when you consider the uncertainty surrounding the future of EU nationals in Scotland.

Opening the event, I warned of the potential impact on the frontline services we deliver for the people of Glasgow in the event of a catastrophic No Deal Brexit. As everyone from chief constables to supermarket giants prepare for No Deal consequences, we within local government must do too. What do food and fuel shortages mean to the services we provide to Scotland’s largest city?

We are an organisation with an annual budget of £2billion, a workforce of around 30,000 and services to provide to over 600,000 people. The economy driven from within our city impacts on the lives of more than double that number. We must prepare for whatever eventual Brexit emerges. It will pose serious challenges to the fundamentals of what we do and risks pushing many within our communities into an abyss of trauma and hardship. It is expected to be the most significant political event of our times.

In the days and weeks ahead we’ll hear much about ‘backstop plans’, ‘Canada or Norway models’, ‘blind Brexits’, or ‘tariff-free trade’. But we need to be absolutely clear that, amongst the jargon and the big picture politics, what this comes down to is people in this city, which already has its challenges, facing the prospect of new challenges beyond their control.

We can’t underestimate Brexit and I make no apology for, again, raising it in this column.

Just two days later, Glasgow was being honoured by no less an organisation than the United Nations. It was an honour and privilege to address the UN Economic Commission for Europe on Glasgow’s work on urban development and be designated as a centre for excellence. Glasgow is considered a world leader in building affordable, energy-efficient homes and communities. We excel at ‘place-making’. The infamous ‘deserts with windows’ tag which hung over much of what was built in the 1960s and 1970s is consigned to history, as the UN recognises how we build amenities, public realm and, most importantly, people, into development. What was particularly pleasing was this invite, this honour, was highly unusual. Here we were, a city, addressing the world’s pre-eminent organisation for nations. And they knew all about our tenements.

And this takes me back to Brexit. I’ve previously talked about the importance of Glasgow not only retaining but building on its international profile as we’re removed from the EU against the wishes of the majority of our people. As I’ve laid our above, this will impact upon us.

Do not underestimate the effect events like the European Championships have in building international links and relations. We built some solid and deep bonds with our co-hosts, Berlin, during the summer and we will continue to build on that relationship with one of the world’s great capitals in the months ahead.

Our reputation as a centre of learning and knowledge, of creativity and culture, hospitality and welcome, our position as a gateway to Scotland with assets from world football brands to architecture, these aren’t just things we like to congratulate ourselves on. These important platforms for us to position ourselves, to forge links with existing and new friends on continental Europe and continue what Glasgow has always been, an international, outward-looking city.