Chamber
Plenary, 29 Nov 2007
29 Nov 2007 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
St Andrew's Day
I speak to the motion in the name of the minister and will say a few words in support of the addendum amendment in the name of my colleague Malcolm Chisholm.
I have no problem whatever with the motion and I do not think that any member opposes the sentiments that it expresses. I am one of the Labour members who in the previous session of Parliament supported our then colleague Dennis Canavan's St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill from the start to the finish of its parliamentary journey—I welcome Dennis Canavan to the public gallery. Therefore, I am particularly pleased—Ms White should note—that the current Government continues to stress the importance of St Andrew's day in the promotion of a fair, inclusive and diverse Scottish society.
As members rightly pointed out, it is important that we recognise that St Andrew's day is not parochial but is about Scotland's place in the world. It is a celebration of our diverse modern Scotland. Scotland today welcomes people from many nations and different ethnic origins. We have people from a variety of cultures and faiths as well as people of no faith. I welcome that.
I congratulate the Scottish Trades Union Congress on its organisation last weekend of the annual St Andrew's day march and rally against racism and fascism. There can be no place for bigotry in 21st century Scotland. The previous Executive's approach—one Scotland: many cultures—was correct, so I welcome the current Government's continuation of that approach. Parliament must encourage and support such events to ensure that all citizens of Scotland have ownership of the St Andrew's day celebrations.
The St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007 not only provides the possibility of encouraging the recognition of a national holiday on St Andrew's day but allows all Scotland's people to celebrate our cultural diversity. The people of Scotland will be able to celebrate our national identity and our membership of the international community. I share the hope that Dennis Canavan expressed during the stage 3 debate on his bill, when he said:
"I am confident that, in the years ahead, recognition of the holiday will grow and constructive negotiations between trade unions and employers will lead to it eventually becoming an additional holiday.—[Official Report, 29 November 2006; c 29767-8.]
I hope to see that day and I would be happy if the minister could confirm that that is her Government's intention, at least.
The Labour amendment expresses not bitter nitpicking but the genuine disappointment that is felt by everyone who supported the Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Bill. It is in order to ask questions of a new Government about such an issue, so answers would be most welcome. Members know that I raised the issue last week with the minister's colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Mr Kenny MacAskill, without much success. Perhaps Ms Fabiani will be more constructive. The disappointment and anger of members of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and the thousands of Scottish shop workers who backed the union's campaign to keep Christmas day and new year's day special are not artificial. There is widespread discontent—the evidence is in my postbag.
I would be happy if the minister could explain, as her colleague Mr MacAskill signally failed to do, why, in March this year, the Scottish National Party, with the exception of one member—Sandra White—voted in favour of carrying out the much-needed further research into the impact of the ban on large retailers trading on new year's day but now, only six months later, when in government, does not hesitate to renege on that commitment, which Parliament made to the retail staff of Scotland. I believe that people should stick to their commitments. I will allow Ms Fabiani to intervene if she wishes, or she may wish to save her answer for the closing speech.
Linda Fabiani indicated agreement.
I have no problem whatever with the motion and I do not think that any member opposes the sentiments that it expresses. I am one of the Labour members who in the previous session of Parliament supported our then colleague Dennis Canavan's St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill from the start to the finish of its parliamentary journey—I welcome Dennis Canavan to the public gallery. Therefore, I am particularly pleased—Ms White should note—that the current Government continues to stress the importance of St Andrew's day in the promotion of a fair, inclusive and diverse Scottish society.
As members rightly pointed out, it is important that we recognise that St Andrew's day is not parochial but is about Scotland's place in the world. It is a celebration of our diverse modern Scotland. Scotland today welcomes people from many nations and different ethnic origins. We have people from a variety of cultures and faiths as well as people of no faith. I welcome that.
I congratulate the Scottish Trades Union Congress on its organisation last weekend of the annual St Andrew's day march and rally against racism and fascism. There can be no place for bigotry in 21st century Scotland. The previous Executive's approach—one Scotland: many cultures—was correct, so I welcome the current Government's continuation of that approach. Parliament must encourage and support such events to ensure that all citizens of Scotland have ownership of the St Andrew's day celebrations.
The St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007 not only provides the possibility of encouraging the recognition of a national holiday on St Andrew's day but allows all Scotland's people to celebrate our cultural diversity. The people of Scotland will be able to celebrate our national identity and our membership of the international community. I share the hope that Dennis Canavan expressed during the stage 3 debate on his bill, when he said:
"I am confident that, in the years ahead, recognition of the holiday will grow and constructive negotiations between trade unions and employers will lead to it eventually becoming an additional holiday.—[Official Report, 29 November 2006; c 29767-8.]
I hope to see that day and I would be happy if the minister could confirm that that is her Government's intention, at least.
The Labour amendment expresses not bitter nitpicking but the genuine disappointment that is felt by everyone who supported the Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Bill. It is in order to ask questions of a new Government about such an issue, so answers would be most welcome. Members know that I raised the issue last week with the minister's colleague, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Mr Kenny MacAskill, without much success. Perhaps Ms Fabiani will be more constructive. The disappointment and anger of members of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and the thousands of Scottish shop workers who backed the union's campaign to keep Christmas day and new year's day special are not artificial. There is widespread discontent—the evidence is in my postbag.
I would be happy if the minister could explain, as her colleague Mr MacAskill signally failed to do, why, in March this year, the Scottish National Party, with the exception of one member—Sandra White—voted in favour of carrying out the much-needed further research into the impact of the ban on large retailers trading on new year's day but now, only six months later, when in government, does not hesitate to renege on that commitment, which Parliament made to the retail staff of Scotland. I believe that people should stick to their commitments. I will allow Ms Fabiani to intervene if she wishes, or she may wish to save her answer for the closing speech.
Linda Fabiani indicated agreement.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson):
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-946, in the name of Linda Fabiani, on St Andrew's day. You have 11 minutes, minister, but I would be grat...
The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani):
SNP
I want consensus in the debate, which is being held on the day before St Andrew's day. It is important that we celebrate Scotland together. Indeed, we should...
Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab):
Lab
Will the minister give way?
Linda Fabiani:
SNP
No.When the winter festival was launched at the beginning of the month, some Labour members said that sending supplies of the saltire to pre-schools and coll...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I welcome what the minister says on the subject. However, does she accept that, when SNP candidates are out on the street during election campaigns, it is un...
Linda Fabiani:
SNP
There is absolutely nothing to stop any Scottish political party handing out the saltire to Scots people.I welcome the amendment in Ted Brocklebank's name, d...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I am very grateful to you, as it happens. Thank you very much indeed.
Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab):
Lab
I am very pleased again to be taking part in the celebration of St Andrew's day and the winter festival that will follow. I am also happy to support the moti...
Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind):
Ind
Does the member think that Russia and Greece remember that St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland? Perhaps they concentrate on the fact that he is their p...
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
I am not in a position to answer that question, but I hope that the answer is the former.As with last year, many different events will be supported across th...
Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
This is perhaps the fifth time that I have spoken in a debate about St Andrew's day. It is a subject dear to me, as a native and resident of St Andrews. I am...
Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP):
SNP
I am sure that, as a fellow Fifer, the member will also recognise the status of Dunfermline as a city and royal burgh.
Ted Brocklebank:
Con
I fully take that on board.For newcomers to the debate, the usual form is for speakers—before getting down to the economic nuts and bolts of St Andrew's day ...
Iain Smith (North East Fife) (LD):
LD
For those of us who have been in the Parliament for a number of years, this may seem like a debate more on groundhog day than on St Andrew's day. Debates on ...
Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Iain Smith for reiterating the SNP's and this Government's commitment to St Andrew's day. I also remind him that if this country had full independenc...
Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD):
LD
Does Sandra White regard St Andrew's day and the saltire as the property of the whole of Scotland, regardless of political belief, or of only part of Scotland?
Sandra White:
SNP
I believe that the saltire can belong to anyone in Scotland or elsewhere—whatever they like. It is a flag and we, as a political party, are identified with i...
Bill Butler:
Lab
Will the member give way?
Sandra White:
SNP
No. I am sorry, I will not take an intervention. Suffice it to say, you were in majority Government and you could have delivered a bill instead of pretending...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
I did not deliver anything.
Sandra White:
SNP
Sorry, Presiding Officer. The Labour Party and the Lib Dems were in Government and could have delivered if they so wished. They should stop using that white ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We are tight for time, so members must stick to their time limits.
Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab):
Lab
I speak to the motion in the name of the minister and will say a few words in support of the addendum amendment in the name of my colleague Malcolm Chisholm....
Bill Butler:
Lab
Very well.Does the Government not understand that such a reversal of the position that it took in March is considered widely to be unfair and that pandering ...
Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Before I speak to the motion, I will deal with the point that Robert Brown made. He suggested that the SNP is somehow trying to hijack the saltire and use it...
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the debate. The St Andrew's day holiday gives Scots the chance to celebrate Scotland's culture and all that is good abo...
Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con):
Con
Along with the rest of the Scottish Conservative group, I am genuinely excited and looking forward to St Andrew's day tomorrow. I hope that it is a big succe...
Keith Brown (Ochil) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member give way?
Gavin Brown:
Con
Yes, it would be a pleasure to take an intervention from the man who, I believe, invented phonics.
Keith Brown:
SNP
I would love to claim credit for that, but I did not.If Gavin Brown is asking the minister to ensure that the SNP Government does not use St Andrew's day for...