Glasgow Southside Voter Guide: 2026 Candidates’ Answers 

Key Points

• Greater Govanhill community magazine launched a Voter Guide for Glasgow Southside, compiling 11 questions from over 200 resident comments via surveys, social media, stalls, and community groups.
• Questions cover housing affordability, fly-tipping, transport, energy bills, GP access, racism, LGBTQ+ rights, politician accountability, tax funding, Palestine, and 12-month changes.
• Candidates responding: Arzoo Waqqar Abdullah (Independent), Holly Bruce (Scottish Greens), Rashid Hussain (Scottish Labour), Rachel Mary Byrne Park (Liberal Democrats), Kaukab Stewart (SNP).
• No responses from Kamran Butt (Scottish Common Party), Ross Hutton (Conservative), Gordon Millar (Reform UK).
• Polling day is 7 May 2026; part of Citizens Agenda project to hold candidates accountable.
• Eight candidates contest Glasgow Southside constituency under FPTP.

Glasgow Southside (Glasgow Express) May 8, 2026 –Residents of Glasgow Southside now have direct access to candidates’ views on local issues through a comprehensive Voter Guide published by Greater Govanhill community magazine. The guide stems from resident input ahead of the Scottish Parliament election on 7 May 2026.

What Issues Did Residents Prioritise for Candidates?

Greater Govanhill gathered over 200 comments to form 11 questions on pressing matters like high rents in Govanhill, fly-tipping, transport costs, energy efficiency, GP waits, racism, LGBTQ+ safety, accountability, taxes, Palestine, and quick changes. As stated in the article by Greater Govanhill staff,

“We have sent these to every one of the Glasgow Southside candidates and will be publishing all responses as we receive them.”

The questions are: 1. Action on affordable housing and secure renting using Holyrood powers? 2. Pushing for better cleansing standards? 3. Support for public bus control and integrated ticketing? 4.

Improving energy efficiency to lower bills? 5. Enhancing GP access? 6. Tackling racism? 7. Protecting trans rights? 8. Ensuring accessibility? 9. Using tax powers for services? 10. Implementing Palestine commitments? 11. Top two 12-month changes?

This initiative is part of the Citizens Agenda project, linked to their voting guide at Everything you need to know about voting in the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections.

Who Are the Glasgow Southside Candidates?

The eight candidates are Arzoo Waqqar Abdullah (Independent), Holly Bruce (Scottish Greens), Kamran Butt (Scottish Common Party), Rashid Hussain (Scottish Labour), Ross Hutton (Conservative and Unionist Party), Gordon Millar (Reform UK), Rachel Mary Byrne Park (Liberal Democrats), and Kaukab Stewart (SNP). Responses came from five; three provided none.

How Does Arzoo Waqqar Abdullah Address Resident Concerns?

As reported by Greater Govanhill, Arzoo Waqqar Abdullah stated on housing:

“I will push for affordable housing initiatives, including working with local councils to ensure fair rent caps. I’ll advocate for government-backed incentives to lower mortgage rates on affordable housing developments.”

On cleansing, she said:

“I’ll aim to foster community responsibility by setting up local hubs to educate and engage people on keeping our area clean.”

For transport:

“I support free buses for working-class communities.”

On energy:

“I’ll push for a fairer pricing structure.” Healthcare:

“I’ll focus on improving recruitment of healthcare professionals.”

Racism and LGBTQ+: “I’ll establish community and creative hubs.” Accountability: “I’ll be directly available to listen.” No response on Palestine or 12-month changes; partial on funding.

What Are Holly Bruce’s Positions as Scottish Greens Candidate?

Greater Govanhill reported Holly Bruce’s housing response:

“The Scottish Greens have proposed a permanent and robust system of rent controls… We will build thousands of high-quality social homes.”

On cleansing:

“I will fight for a fairer funding deal for Glasgow City Council.”

Transport:

“We want free bus travel for everyone and… bring buses back into public ownership.”

Energy: “We will lead a renewables revolution.” Healthcare: “We will shift NHS funding to community health.” Racism: “Empowering communities to apply for protest buffer zones.” LGBTQ+:

“Trans rights are human rights.” Funding: “Tax wealth rather than work.” Palestine:

“The Scottish Greens were instrumental in ensuring Scotland was the first country… to pass BDS.”

Accountability and 12-month changes detailed, including rent freeze and bus franchising.

Rashid Hussain’s Scottish Labour Responses in Detail

According to Greater Govanhill, Rashid Hussain on housing:

“Scottish Labour plans to deliver 125,000 new homes… backing more council and social housing.”

Cleansing: “I would bring forward a ‘Dumb Dumpers Bill’.” Transport: “I support greater public control of buses.” Energy: “Stronger rollout of energy-efficiency support.” Healthcare: “New GP contract… in the first 100 days.” Racism: “Challenge racial and religious prejudice.” LGBTQ+: “Stand up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.” Accountability: “Offering regular surgeries.” Funding: “Not raise income tax.” Palestine: “Standing with Palestinians.” 12-month: Fly-tipping bill, parking charges.

Rachel Mary Byrne Park’s Liberal Democrats Views

Greater Govanhill quoted Rachel Mary Byrne Park on housing:

“The only solution is to build more houses… reform planning law.”

Cleansing: “Give local authorities fair funding.” Transport: “Back bus franchising.” Energy: “Emergency programme of insulation.” Healthcare: “Embed 900 new multidisciplinary staff.” Racism: “Champion human rights.” LGBTQ+:

“Protect trans people… ban on conversion therapy.”

Accountability: Use interpreters. Palestine: “Boycotts… at national level.” Funding: Reform council tax. 12-month: GP staff, planning reform.

Kaukab Stewart’s SNP Commitments

As per Greater Govanhill, Kaukab Stewart on housing: “Investing £4.9 billion… reform the 2004 Tenements Act.” Cleansing:

“Additional £700,000 investment in new neighbourhood clean teams.”

Transport: “Support public control of buses… cap bus ticket prices at £2.” Energy: “Reform the law… mass retrofit.” Healthcare: “Rolling out walk-in GP clinics.” Racism: “Extra funding for third sector.” LGBTQ+: “Ban conversion practices.” Accountability: “Regular constituency surgeries.”

Why No Responses from Other Candidates?

Greater Govanhill noted no responses from Kamran Butt, Ross Hutton, or Gordon Millar despite sending questions to all.

Background of the Development

The Voter Guide arises from Greater Govanhill’s Citizens Agenda project, started months before the election to shift focus from party lines to resident priorities in Glasgow Southside, a diverse area including Govanhill known for housing and cleansing challenges.

Over 200 inputs were collected via online surveys, social media, public stalls, and community visits, reflecting local resonance on issues like tenement maintenance and integration. This mirrors prior efforts, such as a 2025 Glasgow South guide, amid boundary changes placing Govanhill in Glasgow Southside for 2026. The election uses FPTP for the constituency seat, with polling on 7 May 2026; registration closed 20 April.

Prediction: Impact on Glasgow Southside Voters

This development provides Glasgow Southside voters with candidate-specific answers on local issues, enabling informed choices on 7 May 2026. Voters can compare stances on housing and services, potentially influencing turnout or preferences where responses align with priorities like affordability. Non-responding candidates may face scrutiny, affecting undecided residents in this diverse constituency. Overall, it equips the audience—Southside residents—with tools to assess accountability ahead of polling.