In May 2009, the whole of the United Kingdom was rocked by the Westminster expenses scandal, with investigations finding that MPs had claimed on everything from second homes to duck houses.
With the ten year anniversary of the scandal fast approaching, here at Glasgow Live we thought we'd check on our local politicians to see that everything was in order.
A thorough search through our councillors’ Register of Interests has, pleasantly, turned up nothing to worry about. However, that’s not to say that everything is run of the mill.
Indeed, there were some quite frankly heart warming declarations from Glasgow City Council, which reflected the generosity of the city and the honesty we expect from our representatives.
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Ranging from unexpected music taste to wonderful displays of gratitude and, naturally, the downright bizarre, the gifts disclosed by councillors are something to behold.
Depute Lord Provost, Philip Braat, set the tone with the declaration of a “small jar of honey”, showing that no item is too small to merit disclosing to your constituents. The honey was homemade in Glasgow, before being popped in a pot and presented to the Depute Lord Provost.
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Speaking to Glasgow Live about the gift, Philip said that the President of the Glasgow Beekeepers Association gifted him the produce.
When we asked him out the gift, he said: “Ah, yes, the pot of honey. Some time ago, in my civic capacity as Depute Lord Provost, I was hosting an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Glasgow Beekeepers Association.
“I was gifted the pot of honey by the President of the Association. The honey was made by the President himself from his own hives in his garden. He was rightly proud of his product and I am pleased to say that the honey was of very high quality, something you would of course expect from locally produced Glasgow produce!”
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Glenn Elder, who recently resigned from the SNP and moved to sit as an independent, also declared some wholesome content. The sort of thing that renews your faith in politicians.
All from the same trip in 2017, Elder declared a tin of cookies, a model train and some police memorabilia. The specific entry in the members register reads: “Nurnberg Division of IPA, 16 August 2017 - a tin of Nürnberger Elisenlebkuchen (cookies), a small model of a locomotive steam engine, a Nurnberg Police pennant.”
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Some entries also show the appreciation Glaswegians have for a job well done, with councillor Christy Mearns declaring gifts from a constituent in December 2017, perhaps even for Christmas? Specifically, the gift was for an M&S scarf a bottle of wine, Green & Blacks chocolates and flowers. The value of the generous and appreciative constituent came to £40, not that you should check how much your present is worth.
Martha Wardrop represented perhaps the most inconsequential declarations, though admirable nonetheless. Martha declared a reusable coffee cup and a 1.200mAh powerbank, which she picked up at the Green Economy Fund Launch in November 2018. But, let’s be fair, honesty is the best policy.
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Finally, one of the more surprising reveals of the Register of Interests was for former Leader of Glasgow City Council, Frank McAveety, who declared two tickets for a gig at the Hydro. More specifically, the councillor went to watch American heavy metal legends Metallica.
Overall, it’s good to know that Glasgow’s councillors seem like an honest bunch - going to the max to declare power banks, pots of honey or bouquet of flowers.
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