Hansard

Gosh, Maurice Corry—follow that. In the footsteps of George Adam, I say well done.

I was extremely pleased that Dundee was to go ahead with the events that were planned for its city of culture bid, despite narrowly missing out on that bid a few years ago. That decision emulates the great spirit of the city of Dundee, and those events will bring fantastic economic and social benefits to the city.

My connection with Dundee goes back quite a long way and is twofold. I served with the Black Watch, which is the city’s highland regiment, based at Oliver barracks, and I currently serve with the Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association in Perth Road. I was therefore elated to see that the city will run for the European capital of culture in 2023. We should all be proud of the aims of Dundee’s bid, which are to connect people, to inspire young people to reach their possibilities, to encourage everyone to live better and to celebrate the city’s green space. A successful bid would bring huge benefits to the city and those who live there, as well as to the wider country. I wish the city of Dundee every success.

I offer my congratulations to Paisley, which is dear to my heart, on its nomination for the title of UK city of culture 2021. I am truly delighted that Paisley has been recognised in such a way. It is a testament to the beauty of our cities, the activities and events that go on in them and our nation’s rich cultural heritage that so many cities have been shortlisted for UK city of culture in recent years. That goes to show the truly wonderful country in which we live.

Paisley is in my West Scotland region, so I would love its bid to be successful. I am glad that the Scottish Government gave the bid financial backing, and for that I thank the cabinet secretary. Such backing recognises the contribution that Paisley makes to Scotland’s culture and, as a whole, demonstrates that the Government supports and seeks to deliver Paisley’s bid. Sadly, there has never been a Scottish winner of the UK city of culture. It would make me immensely proud, as a representative of the region, were Paisley to be the first.

It is important to note that Paisley winning that title would bring immeasurable benefits to the town. It would create 5,000 jobs over a decade and bolster the local economy by £172 million, which we know would provide a lasting legacy for the Renfrewshire area.

That is not to mention all the events that are planned for the area should the bid be successful. It is predicted that the events would be attended by up to 1.7 million people. That hugely increased footfall should enable plans to go into motion for a brand new town centre, which would show off Paisley’s culture and heritage and put tourism at its heart. In turn, all of that would only increase people’s knowledge of Paisley’s international story and wonderful heritage, which would give new life to its image in Scotland and further afield.

I was fortunate to be employed as a general apprentice for J & P Coats Ltd—that fine textile company—when I left school, and I am fully aware of Paisley’s international legacy. I worked in the Ferguslie mills, the Ferguslie dye works and the Anchor mills. I experienced the buzz of spinning threads in Paisley. We know, with new technology now in our grasp, that that buzz could easily return, as it has reached Lancashire already. Coats was the first UK company to have an employee pension scheme and its own employee hospital. The hospital, which was situated on the Gleniffer braes, specialised in curing tuberculosis patients; the idea was that the fresh air up there would cure TB, despite the weather. The legacy of J & P Coats is all around Paisley, in such buildings—as George Adam mentioned—as the Coats memorial church, which is undergoing a fantastic renovation.

If Paisley won the title, it would be a great moment for the history of the town and its people. What is more, the award would benefit those who are most vulnerable in our society, as well as those whose voices often go unheard—older people who are now more isolated, those on lower incomes and young people are all set to benefit from it. The wide-ranging events would bring people from the community together to enjoy music, arts, performance, dance and, of course, friendship. There would be inclusion for all.

I especially thank George Adam, Neil Bibby and the Renfrewshire Council team for their great efforts on the bid. Above all, George Adam’s abundant enthusiasm for Paisley is completely legend.

Paisley is a fantastic place to live and work in. Its warm people and rich and interesting cultural heritage deserve to be honoured in this way. I truly hope that Paisley becomes the UK city of culture in 2021. I wish it all the best for the future, and I look forward to attending many of the planned events when the time comes. Indeed, I am very proud to be an honorary Paisley buddie.