Green councillor chosen as Glasgow's new Depute Lord Provost

Green Councillor, Christy Mearns, was elected by her fellow councillors and will be officially appointed at a meeting of the council on Thursday.

She will be Depute to Lord Provost, Philip Braat for the rest of the council term, until next May.

Philip Braat

It means Glasgow will have a Green councillor as Depute Lord Provost, when the city hosts the UN COP 26 climate change summit later this year.

Ms Mearns said: “I am delighted to have been elected to serve as our city’s next Depute Lord Provost. As a young woman and new parent, I am thrilled to be able to bring more diversity to the civic realm of the council; we are always stronger the more we work together, across ages, genders, backgrounds and political affiliations.

“In this year of COP26, Glasgow has an immense opportunity to lead on action on the climate emergency. I am looking forward to being able to amplify the voices of our citizens, particularly our children and young people who have already shown outstanding leadership on this issue, knowing their and our planet’s future is at stake.”

Ms Mearns won the election for the post winning 40 votes. Labour councillor Maureen Burke, received 38 votes.

Out of the 85 councillors eligible to vote, 80 took part but two were rejected, on the basis that one had no signed signature slip and the other had a blank voting paper.

Cllr Maureen Burke

Lord Provost, Philip Braat, said: “My congratulations to Depute Lord Provost Mearns, with whom I look forward to working closely during the remainder of our tenure for the good, and civic wellbeing, of our great city.

“It is a privilege to serve the people of Glasgow and I am confident that my Depute will prove a worthy ambassador. I wish her every success. My commiserations to Councillor Burke, who fought a valiant and close campaign.”