Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 27 November 2012
27 Nov 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
St Andrew’s Day
My point is that it was a United Kingdom Parliament that put an end to slavery and that Scotland was part of that. It was also as part of the United Kingdom that we led the fight against totalitarianism in all its insidious forms, from fascism to communism. Patricia Ferguson quite rightly reminded us of the STUC’s role every year in ensuring that we never forget the importance of that fight.
It was together, as part of the United Kingdom, that we created what is perhaps the most respected public health institution in the world—the national health service, which continues to ensure that everyone in the United Kingdom, regardless of status, receives the health service that they need free of charge.
It is interesting that it was also together, as part of that United Kingdom, that we brought a common market to the nations of our union a century before Europe did. That common market brought unparalleled prosperity to the partners of the UK.
However, it is clear from listening to members on the SNP benches and to the cabinet secretary’s speech that there is a belief, which we hear about with increasing frequency, that Scotland—they claim—is hampered by the union. We are, they insist, somehow held back because we are part of the UK. Only with independence, they assert, can we really be a successful nation. However, that incantation is nothing more than tilting at windmills, because we did not achieve those defining successes alone. Rather, we accomplished them together as a union of nations. In doing so, we crafted who we are as people as well as who we are as a people. Nationalism, with its instinct to look inwards, neglects that fact.
In a globalised world, separatism cannot be the answer. At exactly the time when we should be working together to face the difficult challenges and uncertainties that abound in our modern world, I must question how separation can help that. The difficulty with separation is the risk—I am not saying that the SNP is culpable; I am just saying that it can happen—of introspection and marginalisation.
St Andrew’s reach throughout the United Kingdom as well as the world shows us how interconnected are our identities, cultures, histories, successes and—most important of all—our futures. I add my name to those who proudly celebrate Scotland, speaking out for the majority of Scots who celebrate our successes not alone, but as part of an enduring union.
I move amendment S4M-04970.1, after “culture” to insert:
“, as well as Scotland’s place in, and shared history, identity and culture with, the UK,”.
It was together, as part of the United Kingdom, that we created what is perhaps the most respected public health institution in the world—the national health service, which continues to ensure that everyone in the United Kingdom, regardless of status, receives the health service that they need free of charge.
It is interesting that it was also together, as part of that United Kingdom, that we brought a common market to the nations of our union a century before Europe did. That common market brought unparalleled prosperity to the partners of the UK.
However, it is clear from listening to members on the SNP benches and to the cabinet secretary’s speech that there is a belief, which we hear about with increasing frequency, that Scotland—they claim—is hampered by the union. We are, they insist, somehow held back because we are part of the UK. Only with independence, they assert, can we really be a successful nation. However, that incantation is nothing more than tilting at windmills, because we did not achieve those defining successes alone. Rather, we accomplished them together as a union of nations. In doing so, we crafted who we are as people as well as who we are as a people. Nationalism, with its instinct to look inwards, neglects that fact.
In a globalised world, separatism cannot be the answer. At exactly the time when we should be working together to face the difficult challenges and uncertainties that abound in our modern world, I must question how separation can help that. The difficulty with separation is the risk—I am not saying that the SNP is culpable; I am just saying that it can happen—of introspection and marginalisation.
St Andrew’s reach throughout the United Kingdom as well as the world shows us how interconnected are our identities, cultures, histories, successes and—most important of all—our futures. I add my name to those who proudly celebrate Scotland, speaking out for the majority of Scots who celebrate our successes not alone, but as part of an enduring union.
I move amendment S4M-04970.1, after “culture” to insert:
“, as well as Scotland’s place in, and shared history, identity and culture with, the UK,”.
References in this contribution
Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S4M-04970.1 Motion
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-04970, in the name of Fiona Hyslop, on St Andrew’s day: a celebration of Scotland.14:55
The Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs (Fiona Hyslop)
SNP
I am delighted to open the debate, which I hope will give us the opportunity to discuss what is great about Scotland and how we can use St Andrew’s day to ce...
Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
Indeed.
Annabel Goldie
Con
I am grateful to the cabinet secretary for her graciousness in permitting me to intervene. I know that the cabinet secretary does not care for the impact of ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
Cabinet secretary.
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
We could debate who is churlish. I would accept that Annabel Goldie’s amendment is not a crude attempt to hijack the debate for constitutional purposes if sh...
Margo MacDonald (Lothian) (Ind)
Ind
The cabinet secretary has given an impressive list, but I wonder whether there could be something that is a bit more imaginative—a huge St Andrew’s day prize...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
That is a good point and it is one reason why the national book prize that the Saltire Society runs will be announced on St Andrew’s day, as a St Andrew’s pr...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call Patricia Ferguson, who has a generous nine minutes.15:08
Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s debate on the continuing relevance of St Andrew’s day to contemporary Scotland. I signal that Scottish Labour w...
Margo MacDonald
Ind
I am not in the least biased, so here is an idea. At Christmas, we wear Christmas tree badges, brooches and so on. I am sure that we could get something for ...
Patricia Ferguson
Lab
I thank Mrs MacDonald for that helpful suggestion. Perhaps we could have a saltire and a union jack, although that may be pushing it too far. I can just see ...
Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
On seeing the title of today’s debate, I was reminded of a time when the St Andrew’s day debate was confined to members’ business. It is now elevated to the ...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
I do not dispute that, which is why we have it in our motion. What I do not understand is what are all the celebrations that will take place all over Scotlan...
Annabel Goldie
Con
That is what many people in Scotland—hundreds of thousands of them apparently, according to recent polls—feel instinctively is part of their identity. They d...
Margo MacDonald
Ind
Will the member give way?
Annabel Goldie
Con
I am getting a little tight for time, Ms MacDonald; I have referred to you in my speech.
Margo MacDonald
Ind
On a point of historical accuracy, we have nothing to be proud of in Scotland when it comes to the slave trade.
Annabel Goldie
Con
My point is that it was a United Kingdom Parliament that put an end to slavery and that Scotland was part of that. It was also as part of the United Kingdom ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We move to open debate and speeches of six minutes, please. There is a little bit of time for interventions, at this stage.15:26
Roderick Campbell (North East Fife) (SNP)
SNP
As the MSP for North East Fife, which is home to the town of St Andrews, I am privileged to participate in today’s debate on Scotland’s day of national celeb...
Fiona Hyslop
SNP
Perhaps I can supply a connection with “Thriller”. Apparently, the producer of the video was inspired by “Tam o’ Shanter”, perhaps reflecting the theme, so t...
Roderick Campbell
SNP
I thank the cabinet secretary for that useful piece of information.Cities for life day is an event that does not gather as much interest in Scotland as it do...
Margo MacDonald
Ind
Can Roderick Campbell say who won the football match?
Roderick Campbell
SNP
It was a 0-0 draw.St Andrew’s day has also borne witness to cultural and historically significant firsts. The first international football match gathered tog...
Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in the Scottish Government debate on St Andrew’s day, although a Scottish Government celebration of St Andrew’s day might ...
Fiona McLeod (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
First of all, I refer members to my register of interests as the chair of the Scottish Library and Information Council and as a member of the Chartered Insti...
Rob Gibson (Caithness, Sutherland and Ross) (SNP)
SNP
The idea behind celebrating St Andrew’s day on 30 November was partly handed down to us by the old church, and we are stumped with that, in a way. We cannot ...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to speak in today’s debate. When I read the motion as I sat down to write my speech last night, I wondered where to begin in seekin...