Edinburgh and Aberdeen have already granted the honour to the regiment to celebrate its 20th anniversary
17:00, 14 May 2026Updated 18:26, 14 May 2026
The Royal Regiment of Scotland did not receive the freedom of Glasgow thanks to SNP and Green Councillors
SNP and Scottish Green councillors have been slammed after voting against a motion to give the freedom of Glasgow to the Royal Regiment of Scotland to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Glasgow Labour councillor James Adams brought forward the motion to Glasgow City Council to recognise the regiment’s service and sacrifice, as well as Glasgow’s longstanding links with the Armed Forces.
More than twenty local authorities across Scotland, including Edinburgh and Aberdeen, have already granted the honour to the regiment, with Glasgow being the first to reject it. The SNP Glasgow Group said giving the regiment the freedom of the city was “inherently problematic”.
Labour councillors said the decision leaves Glasgow “completely out of step” with the rest of the country and represents a break from generations of civic tradition in recognising military service. Cllr Adams said: “It is frankly shameful that the SNP and Greens chose to block this honour for the Royal Regiment of Scotland in its 20th anniversary year.
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“This was a chance for Glasgow to stand united in recognising the courage, sacrifice and service of the men and women who have served our country, including many with deep links to this city. Instead, the SNP and Greens turned their backs on them. More than 20 councils across Scotland, including Edinburgh and Aberdeen, have already conferred this honour. Glasgow now stands out for all the wrong reasons.
“The Freedom of the City is one of the highest civic honours that can be granted. It has been used for generations to recognise exceptional service and sacrifice. There is no credible reason why the Royal Regiment of Scotland should have been denied that recognition today.
The City Chambers in Glasgow
“At a time when servicemen and servicewomen continue to put themselves in harm’s way to protect our country and support communities at home and abroad, this decision sends entirely the wrong message. People across Glasgow will be asking why the SNP and Greens could not bring themselves to support what should have been a simple, respectful and unifying gesture.”
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney added: ”As a former member of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, I am ashamed by the crass refusal by Glasgow City Council to grant the Freedom of the City of Glasgow to the Regiment on its 20th anniversary.
” There are hundreds of serving and former members who are Glaswegian. We lost friends in Afghanistan and Iraq. Half of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have already granted Freedom status to the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Next month, the Regiment will receive the Freedom of Dundee. I hope Glasgow City Council will reflect on this tone deaf decision and reconsider it.”
The SNP and the Greens have been contacted for comment.