Hansard

I am delighted to be speaking in the debate, and I am grateful to Fiona Hyslop for giving Parliament the opportunity to signal our support for the Paisley 2021 UK city of culture bid and the Dundee 2023 European capital of culture bid. The Scottish Conservatives recognise the significant contributions that the communities of Paisley and Dundee have made and continue to make to Scotland’s culture, and the enormous national and international benefits that the hopefully successful bids will bring. That is why we will be pleased to vote in favour of the motion today.

The inaugural UK city of culture was Derry-Londonderry in 2013. In 2017, Kingston upon Hull took the title. If successful, Paisley will become the third UK city of culture and the first Scottish holder of the title.

Those of a legal persuasion will know all about Paisley. It is the hallowed ground where in 1928 a Mrs Donoghue allegedly—that is a legal joke—found a dead snail in a bottle of ginger beer. She became ill, sued Mr Stevenson, the manufacturer, and created the modern concept of negligence and the general principle of duty of care. As a result, there was a pilgrimage to Paisley in 1990, and there are a memorial plaque and a bench at the cafe site.

Fiona Hyslop mentioned doubling of cities. Here is an irony: when St Mirren won the Scottish cup in 1987, it was against one of the Dundee teams. Other than for away trips to Love Street in the 1980s and 90s, visits to the annual boat jumble sale at St Mirren Park and trips as a result of a penchant in my adolescence for Paisley pattern shirts, Paisley is not somewhere I have spent much time.

The town has a rich cultural history. It came to prominence with the establishment of its 12th-century abbey, which has long been considered an important religious hub. It also boasts a number of Victorian buildings, including the town hall, an arts centre and a museum, as well as the famous Russell Institute. By the 19th century, Paisley had established itself at the centre of the weaving industry, giving its name to the Paisley shawl and the Paisley pattern.

I am delighted to see Paisley in the running because there are game-changing results off the back of the award, and the impact on the town—which, as the cabinet secretary said, is legitimately bidding as a city—could be considerable. Paisley’s bid focuses on improving the town by attracting more visitors, increasing media interest and bringing members of the community together. The town has predicted that a successful bid will create the equivalent of 4,700 jobs over the next decade and boost the economy by £172 million. It would also result in a programme of major events and world-class culture, which, by Paisley’s own analysis, would bring 1.7 million attendances. Businesses, institutions and celebrities have supported Paisley’s bid, and the town even sent a patch of Paisley pattern into space in July 2016.

That is surely the biggest cause of celebration. Paisley already has a unique culture and an abundance of heritage at its disposal, and the Scottish Government is right to focus on tourism as an economic driver. Just today, which is world tourism day, of course, VisitScotland reported that tourism is the third-largest export industry in the world.

Such awards also promote internal tourism, which would help to make the town a key destination of choice, generate income, create jobs and stimulate social change.

Few cities have done more in the past to achieve that than Dundee. The motion rightly calls for recognition of

“Dundee’s rich cultural heritage and exciting future”.

As early as the 12th century, Dundee established itself as an important east coast trading port. Then came its profound success in the textile industry and the subsequent phasing out of the linen export trade, which led to a surge and dominance in jute production throughout the latter half of the 19th century. The rise of the textile industry brought an expansion of supporting industries—notably the whaling, maritime and shipbuilding industries—and the likes of James Keiller & Son, which was a pioneer in the production of commercial marmalade, and the founding of the D C Thomson publishing firm.

However, the city of jute, jam and journalism has been through some tough times. It has seen significant unemployment and has lost around a quarter of its population over the past 30 years. I well remember travelling through from St Andrews in the early 1990s and seeing the city then. How different it is now. The city not only has an exciting future; it has created the atmosphere of a city with a future.

Since I was elected, I have spent a great deal of time in Dundee and noted the culture everywhere. Other members will no doubt talk about the Victoria and Albert museum, HMS Discovery and the waterfront development, all of which are part of a £1 billion regeneration programme, but much more is going on. Culture manifests itself in the widest sense in Dundee. For example, there is Dundee botanic garden, which stretches over 9 hectares near the banks of the River Tay and is within walking distance of the V&A. It attracts 80,000 visitors a year. With its impressive gardens and new cafe facilities, it is not hard to see why.

I have spent time at Dundee museum of transport, which opened in 2014 to showcase the cultural transport heritage of Tayside and beyond and has since acquired the historic Maryfield tram depot, which it seeks to restore.

Last year, I was transfixed and psychologically challenged when I attended a production by Dundee Rep’s youth theatre called “Experiment 01: Abandoned”, which was written and performed by the young people. It took place at the Mills observatory. If that is not Europe-leading culture and creativity, I do not know what is.

The motion mentions the “local, national and international” boost that would follow. It would. The opportunity proposes a £40 million roster of up to 80 events, including six major arts festivals and international events. That has been described as a

“once in a generation ... showcase”

for

“Scotland’s creative and cultural talent”.

Dundee has predicted that the title could create 1,600 full-time job opportunities and bring an additional £128 million to the local economy. That is vital when we consider that Dundee’s unemployment rate is far in excess of the national average. As the cabinet secretary said, Dundee has also predicted a 4.5 per cent increase in regional GDP and a 50 per cent short-term increase in tourism along with a 17 per cent long-term increase in tourism.

Dundee does not contend for the accolade: it is merely claiming what it rightfully ought to have. To my mind, Dundee already is a European capital of culture.

If the bids by Paisley and Dundee are successful, they will promote the best that Scotland has to offer by showcasing our cultural and creative talent and further promoting Paisley and Dundee as vibrant destinations of choice. They will entice visitors from all over the UK and the world to see for themselves some of the best that Scotland has to offer. The Scottish Conservatives whole-heartedly support that and wish both Paisley and Dundee the very best with their respective bids. We look forward to supporting the motion.