Controversial Lord Provost of Glasgow. Born in the Gorbals, the son of an Irish labourer, Lally was involved in local government politics in Glasgow from 1966 to 1999, through the Glasgow Corporation, District Council and Unitary Authority. He became the Lord Provost in 1996 and became known as Lazarus because of his numerous political come-backs.
Lally had a reputation for getting things done and was greatly committed to his home city, doing much to promote it on the national and international stage. He played a major role in the 1988 Garden Festival, completing the Royal Concert Hall and Glasgow becoming European City of Culture (1990) and City of Architecture (1999).
Artist Peter Howson (b.1958) painted two portraits of Lally to celebrate his retirement, one of which raised eyebrows because it omitted his clothes and had him emerging Lazarus-like from the grave. Curiously, Lally was appointed as a Commander of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem in 1999. He has also been honoured by France and China.
He published his autobiography in 2000. Lally died in a care home in Darnley (Glasgow) and was buried in Linn Cemetery. He will be remembered as an inspirational and charismatic politician.
