Party big guns out in force in Glasgow

Independence supporters gathered in the centre of Glasgow yesterday for a huge rally.

Thousands attended the Hope Over Fear event which was addressed by socialist politician Tommy Sheridan and actor David Hayman.

George Square was doused in sunshine and filled with saltires as activists urged people to “lend their vote to the SNP” at the General Election.

Earlier in the day SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon brought nearby Buchanan Street to a standstill with the launch of her party’s “Women’s Pledge”.

Actress Elaine C. Smith joined the First Minister at the event. The Women’s Pledge commits the SNP to supporting policies that improve equality including more free childcare and raising the minimum wage.

Elsewhere in the city, Labour’s Shadow Equalities Minister and Deputy Leader, Harriet Harman, joined Shadow Scottish Secretary Margaret Curran to publicise her party’s plans to allow working grandparents to take time off to look after their grandchildren.

And in Elderslie, Gordon Brown made his second major intervention in the General Election campaign in three days.

Speaking at an event in support of Labour’s General Election supremo and Paisley candidate, Douglas Alexander, the former Prime Minister warned of “divisions, bitterness and acrimony” if a large bloc of SNP MPs is returned to Westminster.

He said: “We need people to vote Labour because if we end up on May 8th with a host of SNP MPs and a Tory Government we will not only be denied real change we need urgently but, as the SNP then demand a second referendum, the old divisions, bitterness and acrimony will start again.”

However Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Gordon Brown appears to be re-fighting last year’s referendum.”