Q: What do you believe you’ll bring to the position of Leader?
A: An immense determination to focus on people in the Council, and other agencies, to tackle the remaining problems that face Glasgow and Glaswegians. I think that our strong economy gives us a unique opportunity – the first in a generation – to ensure everyone shares in Glasgow’s success. I also want to bring a greater sense of urgency to that effort.
Q: What are your top priorities?
A: To lift the confidence of Glaswegians, and to raise people’s expectations of what they can achieve for themselves and their family.
There are two main strands: One is education – what we and our schools can do to stem the flow of young people who leave with a lack of ambition and confidence in themselves. Secondly, it’s jobs…they are available. What we need are people with the skills to take them. It’s not about the Council creating 35,000 jobs over five years – that’s the responsibility of business. We have a role in providing training. But our larger task is trying to help 35,000 Glaswegians into the labour market. It’s our job to create the infrastructure, to keep the economy buoyant (as it is just now), and to adopt a friendly and flexible approach to enable employers to invest.
We also have to challenge Glaswegians to think about themselves, and their ambitions.
Q: Do you think your youth will be an advantage or a disadvantage (in your role as Council Leader)?
A: (laughs) I think that’s for other people to judge. Seventy-one of my colleagues put their faith in me – their sole choice – at the age of 32. In one sense it gives me a great vote of confidence, but it also reminds me that the challenge is huge and I mustn’t let down those who have given me the opportunity. The challenges are too big.
Q: How will your style differ from Councillor Gordon’s?
A: Again, that’s for other people to judge. Councillor Gordon left behind an enormous legacy - the most significant being that he created the most politically stable administration since re-organisation in 1995. That speaks volumes about his strength of character and leadership.
Q: Do you believe that some Government benefits are a “disincentive” to look for work?
A: If people are not going to be better-off in work, there’s no incentive to leave behind their current personal circumstances. We have to find a way of working with The Treasury, housing agencies, and the Scottish Executive to make work pay.
We have pilot projects to tackle long-term unemployment and attract people back to work. I know we can make work pay better for people who find themselves – as a result of the last 20 years of Government policy – in that position.
Q: Is there a danger of being “too inclusive” (raising expectations it may not be possible to meet)?
A: I don’t think there is. If we want to paralyse decision-making by talking all the time, then the answer is yes. But what I want to do is get a feel for what various communities – business, education, ethnic minority – and individual neighbourhoods - believe to help me make informed decisions. And I plan to begin during the next budget process.
It’s not about being popular. It’s about doing the right thing. I don’t want to take a decision only on the basis of individuals from the Council. If we’re sharing our vision and the direction of public policy, then everyone takes an interest.
It’s a two-way street, because that process also challenges communities and individuals to declare what they can do for the strategic direction of the city.
Q: Can the Council influence “law and order”?
A: I think we can. One way is ensuring that every community has access to sports and recreational facilities. It’s also about being committed to the long-term changes in our education system – and we are doing all we can to bring young people through the system to come out with self-respect, self-confidence, and a clear direction about the life their family will have.
If you don’t respect yourself, you won’t respect anyone – or anything – else; so I see an opportunity in good economic times to work towards a greater sense of urgency and how we use that to benefit all aspects of community life.
It’s the standard of housing, recreational facilities; as well as the standard of the Council – and other public services. It’s also challenging people what they think of themselves, and what they can do for their community as part of what’s now a very successful Glasgow.
Q: A frequent criticism of the Council is the condition of roads and pavements – and the amount of litter lying around. How will you improve standards?
A: It’s important to make people feel good about where they live. So where we’ve begun is to get the physical regeneration right – which is crucial for other people to have confidence in the city. We need to work harder at cleaning-up and improving the local environment.
We’ve spent a lot of time investing in new housing, improved housing and improved schools, so we want to make people happier about other aspects of the environment.
Q: Do you think Glasgow gets a “raw deal” from Scottish Executive?
A: No, I don’t. There’s never been a higher level of investment from central government in Glasgow for a generation. That’s why we have the best opportunity in ages to ensure that all of the physical investment, and investment in services, are sustainable.
Q: Is there anything unexpected you’ve learned already since becoming Leader?
A: How many people across Glasgow look to the Council for leadership; and that this job is the only elected leadership position in the city.
Q: Which primary school did you attend?
A: Corpus Christi.
Q: Which were your best – and worst - subjects at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School?
A: (laughs) My worst was maths; English was my best.
Q: Do you regret leaving school at 16?
A: No. It was the right thing for me. I wanted to work, to earn money, and to do what people around about me did – such as spending money on clothes and music.
What I do regret is that nobody challenged me to think otherwise. And I think that sums up the situation during the Thatcher Years… when the city was depressed, and when communities felt very disconnected from the big projects that were happening at the time.
It was a Tale of Two Cities: a city of big projects like the Garden Festival, but communities didn’t feel part of it. I think that’s begun to change. I think we’ve made major changes – and it’s my job to complete that change.
Q: Has leaving at 16 helped – or hindered - your political career?
A: I think it’s given me a focus on what I want to do in terms of a career. When I first got elected I thought this was the road to Parliament. Then I began to realise that local government can make a real direct difference to people’s lives and their communities – as the local councillor, a community leader, and as an advocate for change.
Now, as Leader, I’m in a position to influence the direction of the Council and to challenge other people to initiate change in their community and other areas of the city.
Q: What did you “love” about being education convener and was it a way of “making up” for leaving school and not attending university?
A: I think in a way it was, because I had a learning curve in what was a very, very complex policy brief. The other reason I enjoyed it was because there’s never been a better time in a decade be involved in education. There’s an expansion in the workforce that’s bringing enthusiasm, a new dynamism.
I really had my eyes opened as to how much goes on in our school that don’t receive recognition, or how we simply look at the crude year-on-year analysis of exam results.
Q: When – and why - did you become interested in politics?
A: It was very early on in secondary school when I got involved in Justice in Peace movement and spent a lot of time on international issues. That was a time when South Africa was moving closer to democracy
Q: Apart from Donald Dewar, who is your hero?
A: Nelson Mandela. Because he was a great example of someone who drew power to his own personal suffering
Q: Before entering politics, what was your ambition?
A: I’ve always enjoyed working with, or for, other people. So before I entered politics I was active in my local community working with voluntary groups. I think in many ways for me it was a natural progression; and why I believe that - in terms of politics, for the person I am - local government is where I belong.
Q: How do you spend what little free time you have these days?!
A: I like to walk a lot; I find it a good way just to let the brain unwind. I also like to read – fiction and non-fiction – which also helps me relax after a long day.
For more information on Councillor Purcell click here.