Thursday June 25th 2026
Glasgow Council chamber
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
A new depute Labour leader has been elected in Glasgow following a closely fought contest.
Langside councillor Stephen Docherty is now second in command after replacing John Carson.
Councillor Docherty challenged the Linn local politician at the party’s recent AGM in the city, winning the new position in a close battle, it is understood.
Leader Rashid Hussain has retained his leader position.
The shake-up comes just over a year after councillor George Redmond stepped down as group leader with councillor Hussain taking his place. The depute leader position went to councillor Carson at the time after councillor Soryia Siddique bowed out.
Reacting to his new leadership role, councillor Docherty said: “It is a huge honour to have been elected depute leader of the Glasgow Labour Group.
“I want to thank colleagues for placing their trust in me. I would also like to pay tribute to councillor John Carson for his service as depute leader and for the contribution he has made to the group over the past year.”
He added: “Glasgow Labour has a talented team of councillors right across the city and I am looking forward to working alongside them, our group leader Rashid Hussain, and our wider Labour movement as we continue to hold the SNP administration to account and stand up for communities across Glasgow.”
City politicians are now gearing up for next year’s council elections.
Councillor Docherty added: “Over the coming year, our focus will be on demonstrating that there is a credible alternative to the status quo at City Chambers. After years of drift and declining standards in many local services, people want to see ambition, competence and a clear vision for the future of our city.
“We will be working hard to get our group ready for next year’s council elections, where Glaswegians will face a clear choice between more of the same under the SNP, or a new, confident and ambitious Glasgow under Labour.”
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