Glasgow North is a constituency of stark contrasts.

This seat takes in some of the wealthiest streets in Scotland but after just a few minutes walk you are in areas where poverty is driving people to the depths of despair.

Glasgow North includes Hyndland and Hillhead where Jaguars, Porsches and Range Rovers line the streets and a three-bedroom flat can sell for prices, that for most people only a lottery win would secure.

It also includes places like Wyndford and Ruchill where many people are struggling to get by, hit hard by a decade of benefit cuts made worse by the introduction of universal credit.

Maryhill Road runs through the seat from St Georges Cross to the boundary with East Dunbartonshire in the north.

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And the Forth and Clyde Canal runs alongside the main road rising up to Maryhill Locks looking down over the communities.

It takes in Acre, Cadder and Summerston in the north near the city limits and stretches down to North Kelvinside and Woodlands towards the city centre.

In 2015 the SNP took the seat from Labour, along with every other Glasgow seat.

Patrick Grady overturned a majority of just under 4000 and turned it into a majority of more than 9000 for the SNP.

However, in the 2017 election the majority was reduced massively to just 1060.

The reason was the SNP vote dropped by 15%, losing 6000 voters, while Labour added 1200 to its tally under new candidate, Pam Duncan-Glancy. 

Glasgow Times:

The Tories also increased their vote by 2000, in third place. While the Scottish Greens, in a seat they had high hopes for, managed fourth place still adding 1000 to its tally and the LibDems were also-rans in last place.

Labour has it in its sights this time around but needs to win back voters it lost since 2010 and hope the SNP lose more of the support it gained after the 2014 referendum.

The scale of the impact welfare cuts have had on communities in the constituency can be seen in the pattern of visits to the local Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

The bureau covers Maryhill and a small part of the neighbouring Glasgow North East seat.
Of the 8700 occasions it issued advice almost 6000 were related to benefits and 1500 were for debt.

The vast majority of clients (75%) were from the 20% most deprived communities.one in four people coming with concerns were in employment and almost four in ten were unable to work due to ill health.

Rob Gallagher, Chief Executive of the local CAB said welfare is the biggest issue.

He said “It is all to do with finance and the level of poverty in the area. People tend to come to use when they are in crisis. Bearing in mind we saw four and a half thousand people last year that is a lot of people in crisis.”

There is an issue with in-work poverty and people in jobs but not earning enough to make ends meet.

Mr Gallagher added: “Just 4% of our clients are unemployed and 25% are in work. People are going into debt just to keep paying bills.”

Within a mile of the most deprived areas are some of the most expensive properties in Glasgow.

Some of the most expensive properties are on offer at eye watering prices.

A local estate agent office has several homes listed asking in excess of half a million pounds and getting it.

Chris Breckenridge, of Corum West End, said: “Despite political uncertainty the west end of Glasgow is one of the shining lights in the property market. Premium prices are still being paid and selling for 10% over the home report.”

The west end, in Glasgow North areas like Hillhead, Hyndland and Dowanhill in G12, is still among the most desirable addresses to live for those who can afford to.

Mr Breckenridge said: “Big prices are being paid this year. People are sick and tired of what is going on at Westminster but interest rates are still low and lending is plentiful.”

Mr Breckenridge said if there were more properties available they would sell. 

New build developments have been popular with the apartments on the old BBC Scotland HQ at Hamilton Drive a particular success.

Glasgow North was created from part of the old Maryhill Constituency which was solid Labour for almost the entire 20th century and at every election from 1935 to 2015.

It was latterly held by Maria Fyfe for the party between 1987 until stepping down in 2001 when Ann McKechin took over until it was changed to Glasgow North holding it in 2005 and 2010.

The other part of the seat was Hillhead which was changeable until it disappeared in a boundary re-organisation in 1997.

George Galloway held it for Labour for ten years from 1987.

Before that it was famously won in a by-election in 1982 by Roy Jenkins for the newly formed Social Democratic Party (SDP). He held it at the General Election a year later.

Previously it had remarkably been held by Tam Galbraith of the Unionists and then Conservatives between 1948 until1982.

While the Conservatives will look to capitalise on anti independence votes particularly in the old Hillhead part of the seat it is likely to be a contest between the SNP and Labour once again.

Tory candidate Tony Curtis said he wants to focus on issues like health and education he says have been neglected while the SNP “obsess” about independence

The SNP ‘s Partick Grady wants to to push the pro remain message and Pam Duncan Glancy of Labour said she  will focus on anti austerity and living standards.

The Candidates: 

Patrick Grady, SNP

"Glasgow North voted 78 per cent to remain in the European Union, and a vote for the SNP at this election is the only way to reinforce that message at Westminster.

Glasgow Times: Patrick GradyPatrick Grady

"If re-elected I'll keep working to tackle the climate emergency, end Tory austerity and keep Scotland in the EU."

Pam Duncan-Glancy, Labour

"This election is the fight of our lives. We are fighting to stop five more years of the toxic Tories and their born to rule attitude. 

Glasgow Times: Pam Duncan-GlancyPam Duncan-Glancy

"And we're fighting to stop the SNP and their attempts to narrow our ambitions for a socialist Government across the UK, to just those of us lucky enough to live in Scotland". 

Tony Curtis, Conservative

"Only by constituents voting Scottish Conservative and Unionist in Glasgow North will they be sure that their voice will be heard.

Glasgow Times: Tony CurtisTony Curtis

"A vote for anyone else risks Nicola Sturgeon winning and another unwanted and socially damaging referendum."

Cass MacGregor, Scottish Greens

"A vote for the Scottish Greens is a vote to demand climate action.

Glasgow Times: Cass MacGregorCass MacGregor

"Out Scottish Green New Deal lays out how we can tackle the climate crisis, create thousands of quality unionised jobs, deliver warm homes for all and revolutionise our public transport network with fare-free transport."

Andrew Chamberlain, Liberal Democrat

"If you want to stop Brexit, the Liberal Democrats are the only option at this election.

Glasgow Times: Andrew ChamberlainAndrew Chamberlain

"Independence is not viable. Our only route to a brighter future is to stand and fight for a more open, tolerant Britain."