MPs, MSPs and delegates at last weekend’s Liberal Democrat Scottish Conference have backed the local community’s fight to save the lane.

Alistair Carmichael MP, Charles Kennedy MP and Hugh O’Donnell MSP have already been to the lane in person to give their support, as well as Scottish Lib Dem Leader Tavish Scott.

Alistair Carmichael MP, Lib Dem Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, said:

“Over 20 years ago, when I was a student at Glasgow University, I spent countless enjoyable hours browsing through the treasures of Voltair and Rousseau bookshop in Otago Lane. I well understand the outrage of local residents at the threat to this iconic West End lane posed by such an inappropriate development. Glasgow City Council should act to support character of the West End by refusing planning permission for this development rather than contributing to the destruction of what makes this part of the City special.”

Alison McInnes MSP, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Local Government, said:

“I congratulate Katy Gordon and the Save Otago Lane campaigners for their sterling efforts to protect a unique part of Glasgow’s West End. The planning reform Liberal Democrats introduced when we were in govenrment in Holyrood was specifically designed to give greater weight to the local plan, such as the council’s Glasgow City Plan, and a greater weight to community opinion.

It’s clear that the local community doesn’t want this overdevelopment and wants Glasgow City Council to stick to the principles set out in its own City Plan. The council and the developers must listen to what local people are telling them and abandon this overdevelopment.”

In the understatement of the year, the sitting MP  ‘expects real challenge from the Liberal Democrats’.

Alistair said:

‘I’m back here for the first time in twenty years, and what I’m finding is a quite remarkable change… people here are ready to listen to the Liberal Democrats, and give them their support. I think the difference is that people here feel enormously let down by the Labour party… They’re not going to be taken for granted, their vote isn’t going to be in the box for the Labour party next time.’

You can watch the full interview with Alistair and Katy here:

Katy recently met students at Glasgow University to hear about their housing issues, particularly the difficulty many students have had in getting their deposit back at the end of a lease.  Katy is campaigning to introduce a National Tenancy Deposit Scheme, in which the deposit is held by a third party untl the lease ends.  A similar scheme works well in England and it could help hundreds of tenants in Glasgow North to avoid disputes with landlords when they move flats.

Lib Dem MSP Mike Pringle has also raised a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for action on this issue.

The centre provides a safe, supportive environment for women to overcome experiences of domestic violence, rape, discrimination and abuse. Based in Maryhill, the centre offers advice, support, referral, group work and self help to help women to deal with these issues. Katy first became involved with the centre through its annual open day in 2008. She has been impressed by the dedication of the staff and the achievements of the women who use the centre.

Pledge your support: sponsor Katy here.

“This is always a fun event and I was glad to return and see what has been acheived since my last visit.  I am also delighted that the network has welcomed my goal of fundraising for the network by running the 10K in Glasgow on 6th Sept.  This is a vital local organisation that really needs our support. My colleague, Cllr Mary Paris has been working hard with the network to ensure their funding is secured for the longer term so they can continue their good work.”

Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson and MSP for Glasgow Robert Brown has attacked Glasgow City Council’s decision to use CCTV cameras in Glasgow to target school protesters occupying Wyndford Primary School in Maryhill.

It is claimed that the CCTV cameras, installed to improve safety at nearby flats, have been turned to cover the school entrance and to monitor who goes in and out of the school.

It is understood that the CCTV cameras are the property of Cube Housing Association which are administered through Glasgow City Council’s CCTV monitoring centre but are not actually the property of the council.

Commenting, Mr Brown said:

“This is a civil protest, not a criminal issue.

It is completely unacceptable if the Council have made use of CCTV cameras, put in place to protect the local community, to breach the civil liberties of members of that same community.

The redirection of the cameras, away from the flats they were installed to monitor, will compromise the security of these homes. The Council’s action is excessive, unwarranted and a breach of civil liberties.

People in Wyndford feel strongly about the fact that the heart is being torn out of their local community with the closure of both schools in the area.

I am writing to the leader of Glasgow City Council, as a matter of urgency, demanding an explanation of the situation. I will also be raising this matter with Scottish Ministers. There are serious questions arising as to the proper use of CCTV cameras when they are used not to deter crime but to target protesters.”

Glasgow North Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson Katy Gordon added:

“The Council are treating the Wyndford parents like criminals. This sort of “big brother” tactic is excessive and out of place in a local dispute like this.”

Speaking to the Sunday Herald, Katy commented:

“The key issues are how Labour has let down the people of Glasgow, both nationally, by failing to forsee the credit crunch and take preventive measures, and locally, by ignoring widespread protests on school closures. People are fed up with being taken for granted and the scandal of MP expenses has only fuelled their determination for change.”

“I’m really disappointed, but not surprised at the outcome of the vote. Yet again, Labour have proved they don’t listen. I was disgusted by Labour Councillors’ contempt for local residents in voting against closure in their own wards, but supporting closures outside their own patch. This cynical tactic fools no one.

I have fought alongside local parents. I know how upset they are at the damage to their childrens’ future. Now, more than ever, Glasgow North needs some to champion the views of local people.

I will continue this fight.”