Former Glasgow Labour leader Malcolm Cunning gets lifetime achievement award

His Labour colleagues, Cllr Eva Murray and Cllr Stephen Curran, collected the posthumous LGIU Scotland and CCLA award at a ceremony in Dundee last night.

Organisers said Bailie Cunning would be remembered as the “very definition of a dedicated and experienced local councillor”.

After receiving the award, Cllr Murray said the Linn ward councillor “did so much” for his constituents and the city.

“The Labour group in Glasgow has lost a huge part of it,” she added. “Linn has lost a dedicated champion and Glasgow’s lost one of its most dedicated citizens. His legacy will be there for years to come.”

Bailie Cunning was praised for his work with Helping Heroes, helping armed forces veterans, as well as his recent support for the campaign to reopen the Couper Library.

In a video played to attendees, Cllr Curran said: “Malcolm Cunning did some fantastic work leading the working group that supported the armed forces veterans in the city.

“That really was a trailblazer for local authorities in supporting the armed forces community covenant for health, well-being and housing support for veterans.”

On the night, Cllr Curran added: “The thing that has really struck us is the amount of people who have spoken so highly of Malcolm, across parties, across the country.”

Bailie Cunning, who passed away in September at the age of 65, was leader of the Glasgow Labour group from August 2020 until after the council elections in May this year.

The LGIU Scotland (Local Government Information Unit) and CCLA (a fund manager for councils and charities) Awards are the only national awards for councillors. This year’s ceremony was held at Caird Hall by the hosts Dundee City Council.

The event included speeches from Ben Macpherson MSP, minister for social security and local government, and Cllr Steven Heddle, the vice president of COSLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive of LGIU Scotland, said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the winners of this year’s Cllr Awards.

“During some of the most turbulent and challenging years in recent history, these councillors truly showcase the best of local government across Scotland.

“And while awards and accolades aren’t the reason councillors put themselves forward and enter local politics, their incredible service is, so often, a thankless task. That is why these Cllr Awards are so important.”