St Andrew's Day
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-2965, in the name of Linda Fabiani, on St Andrew's day. The minister has 11 minutes.
Eleven minutes, Presiding Officer. Really?
I am delighted to move the motion in my name. St Andrew's day is a time for everyone—whether at home or abroad—to celebrate the best of Scotland. It is a time when we can all enjoy ourselves and acknowledge Scottish achievements. It is a time when we recall our rich history and culture but also look to the vibrant, creative and confident nation that is Scotland today.
All over Scotland, people are marking this important date in our calendar. Schools in places from Barra to Burntisland are joining in the national day of celebrations, with many of them using the occasion to engage pupils in exploring Scotland's culture and heritage and what it means to live in modern Scotland.
Young people studying maths at St Columba's high school in Inverclyde have been exploring the symmetry of the saltire flag and looking at the work of great Scottish mathematicians. Annette Street primary school in Glasgow is bringing children together from the eight different countries and backgrounds that are represented at the school—including Pakistan, Malaysia and Afghanistan—around the theme of one Scotland, many cultures.
Larkhall academy, which is visiting the Parliament today with Aileen Campbell MSP, is celebrating St Andrew's day with a unite Scotland campaign. We welcome the group's ethos and the range of activities that have been planned as part of that initiative to celebrate Scotland's cultural diversity—it is great stuff. The school is also working to raise funding of £20,000 as part of the Prince's Trust scholars challenge.
Yesterday, as part of the fun of St Andrew's day, I was up at Edinburgh castle with Lorne primary school from Edinburgh, celebrating the fact that Historic Scotland is opening so many doors for free over the weekend of 29 and 30 November.
I am delighted that Historic Scotland is offering free admission, but does the minister agree that its properties ought to be specifically linking information to St Andrew's day? For example, at Culblean, which is 10 miles south of Kildrummy castle in Aberdeenshire, a battle was won by the Scots on St Andrew's day in 1335.
As always, one of our resident historians manages to throw me completely, but I am more than happy to consider the issue and to discuss it with Historic Scotland.
Another good event is happening on Monday 1 December. With joint sponsorship from the Scottish Government and the Parliament, students from seven Scottish universities and a team from Oxford will take part in a debating championship in the Parliament, with the final being held in the chamber. We thank the Presiding Officer and the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for agreeing to the use of the chamber.
Building on last year's success, more visitor attractions than ever are opening their doors for free over the coming weekend. I am delighted that this year, for the first time, Edinburgh zoo has joined the initiative.
This year, also for the first time, the Government has provided financial support not only to our six cities but to Blairgowrie and St Andrews for their celebrations. I know that Ted Brocklebank, after many months of lobbying, will join me in congratulating St Andrews on its success in attracting a substantial amount of additional local sponsorship. That is why I am delighted to accept his amendment. It is a mark of how important everyone feels that St Andrew's day is that his was the only amendment that was lodged. This is a time for consensus in celebration of our national day.
Celebrations are taking place not just in Scotland, but throughout the world. Not just expatriate Scots, but people who have an affinity with Scotland are celebrating our national day. Our Scottish affairs offices in Beijing, Brussels and Washington are involved in a range of events. More than 90 diaspora groups around the world, from Ankara to Australia and from Osaka to Luxembourg, are organising celebrations.
On our national day, we celebrate our rich cultural heritage and our national identity—everything about Scotland. It is a time to reflect not only on what it means to be Scottish, but on how we see the future of Scotland. Our national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future allows everyone to debate the kind of Scotland that we want and how we best achieve that. St Andrew's day is the perfect time to celebrate and reflect.
This year's St Andrew's day is particularly special, because it provides the warm-up to the year of homecoming next year. Picking up the thread from St Andrew's day and the winter festivals, homecoming will be the biggest-ever celebration of Scotland's achievements, culture and ties around the world. More than 300 events throughout Scotland are already planned to celebrate some of Scotland's great contributions to the world: Burns—2009 is the 250th anniversary of his birth, after all—as well as whisky, golf, great Scottish minds and innovations, and that rich culture and heritage.
The year of homecoming promises to be an extraordinary celebration of Scottish art, culture and heritage. Our national collections and performing companies and Edinburgh's festivals will play a prominent role in showcasing the wonderful creativity and energy that make up modern Scotland. With the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen and other cultural bodies, we are working to develop a lasting legacy for Scotland's cultural sector.
The minister will recall the furore last year when it was found out that pupils were waving saltire flags that were made in Taiwan. In reply to a written question that I lodged in July, she said that Scotland-based suppliers would be invited to bid to supply the flags this year. Given that, why did she tell me on 13 November that this year's flags were made in the far east?
The situation is as it was under the previous Administration. The question has been answered. In a consensual celebration of Scotland's national day, it is inappropriate to reduce ourselves to such petty questioning.
Our national day is a time for enjoyment and celebration, as is right. While we celebrate, St Andrew's day has a serious side. Given the global economic downturn, we need to promote Scotland this year more than ever as a great place to live, learn, work, do business and invest in and to visit. We need to position Scotland to take early advantage of any recovery and continue our drive to increase sustainable economic growth. That is why, as part of the Government's economic recovery programme, we are intensifying our activity and support for homecoming 2009 and promoting it through the St Andrew's day and winter festivals programmes.
Tourism is already a key sector in which Scotland has a comparative advantage but, in the light of recent changes in the exchange rate, we are focusing our efforts even more on boosting tourism and raising our international profile. We and our public sector partners are investing in all the important events in the Scottish calendar to promote Scotland domestically and internationally as a quality must-see, must-return destination. VisitScotland has brought forward £1.5 million of spending to 2008-09 to increase its marketing activity, which includes the marketing of homecoming.
We are also harnessing the contribution of the Scottish diaspora, through the globalscot and friends of Scotland networks, to boost the year of homecoming and encourage business development opportunities. We have set a clear target of 100,000 additional international visitors, which we expect not only to meet, but to exceed.
As part of the Government's economic recovery programme, we will promote the food and drink sector. St Andrew's day serves as both a timely reminder that Scotland is one of the finest food producers in the world and an opportunity to showcase Scotland as such. It provides the perfect occasion to celebrate the wealth of high-quality and internationally trusted produce from our farms, seas and food manufacturers.
While we encourage everyone to celebrate St Andrew's day, it is also good to remember why we celebrate it. St Andrew's day is part of our history and heritage. Around 832 AD at Athelstaneford in East Lothian, the broad white cross of St Andrew was seen against a bright blue sky. The National Flag Heritage Centre at Haddington celebrates year round the event that led to the saltire being adopted as our national flag. Each year, such celebrations culminate in the national celebration on 30 November, which this year falls on Sunday. I wish everyone a happy St Andrew's day.
I move,
That the Parliament believes in the importance of St Andrew's Day, Scotland's national day; recognises the opportunity that it presents for everyone in Scotland, and friends of Scotland around the world, to celebrate our history, culture and traditions as well as the vibrant, creative and dynamic nation that Scotland is today; notes the Scottish Government's support for a programme of events throughout Scotland as part of the Winter Festival, and supports the opportunity that St Andrew's Day provides to prepare the way for the 2009 Year of Homecoming, which will give a much-needed boost to the Scottish tourism sector and to the economy generally.
I am grateful to the minister for accepting my minor amendment, which I commend to the chamber.
I am delighted at the amount of excellent publicity that St Andrews is receiving in BBC Scotland's new series "A History of Scotland". As those who have followed our St Andrew's day debates over the years will know, I am always happy when someone other than me extols the virtues of my home town. Young Mr Oliver is doing an excellent job in that regard. I thoroughly commend the series to any member who has not viewed it, and I congratulate the BBC on an absolutely splendid production.
However, even as a dedicated St Andrean, I question the need for the chamber to debate St Andrew's day yet again, given the fact that the act that made it a voluntary public holiday was passed in November 2006 and received royal assent as long ago as January 2007. That said, given that we are approaching the Christmas period, I will embrace the consensual spirit of tidings of comfort and joy—at least for part of my speech.
As the minister outlined, this year's St Andrew's day should form the gateway to what we hope will be a successful year-long homecoming celebration. The motion says that the aim of the St Andrew's day events is to boost Scottish tourism. I totally endorse that, particularly at a time of economic uncertainty. Tourism is worth some £4 billion a year to the Scottish economy and, as we know, the tourism industry employs more than 200,000 people.
The aim of the year of homecoming—to encourage Scots abroad to return to our shores during 2009—is to be commended. That aim contrasts somewhat with the aims of tartan day or Scotland week, about which I continue to have reservations. I refer to bekilted politicians, most of whom should never bare their knees to the elements, marching through Manhattan in the fond belief that doing so somehow promotes Scotland. [Interruption.] I give way to Iain Smith
I am not seeking to intervene on the member; I am just protesting at what he is saying.
I have not seen your knees, Iain. Perhaps you will show them to me and I can then make a judgment.
Mr Brocklebank.
I apologise, Presiding Officer. I should have directed those remarks through the chair.
I repeat what I said in last year's debate: the Government has missed the opportunity to link this year's St Andrew's day celebrations and the start of the year of homecoming on Burns night. By not making any apparent linkage with the winter festival events in December, the Government has left the St Andrew's day festivities looking like an isolated celebration at the end of November. It has missed a marketing opportunity for a sustained winter festival launch. I hope that the minister will address that in her summing up.
There have been some funding problems with this year's St Andrew's day. I wrote to the minister at the beginning of the month to express my concern about the length of time between the date on which an organisation makes an application and the date on which it is notified whether it has been successful. One group was given just over a month's notice before St Andrew's day that its funding bid had succeeded. As the minister pointed out, the organisation was duly grateful for its award, but I am sure that she agrees that such notice does not leave groups with enough time to book venues and get advertising in place. I understand that, as of today—three days before St Andrew's day—the group's vital cheque from the Government has still not turned up. The organisers have had to dip into their own pockets to ensure that local events are paid for. I hope that she can assure the chamber that those who have applied for year of homecoming funding will be given at least six months' notice that they have been successful and that the money will turn up well before the event for which it has been awarded.
As the minister said, this year's St Andrew's day festivities will take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Stirling and, of course, the town of St Andrews itself. With that in mind, I turn to the amendment in my name.
For the past 13 years—long before St Andrew's day became a voluntary public holiday—the St Andrews festival has taken place in the royal burgh that bears the name of our patron saint. A host of activities and events, from traditional and classical concerts to exhibitions of arts and crafts, as well as dance and drama, enliven the town over an entire week leading up to 30 November. This year there will be an added gem—a son et lumière event in St Mary's quadrangle. This is to be a spectacular display, showing scenes from Scotland's rich history, with music from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers—
Pipers.
I may not know much about the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, but there will also be music from Phil Cunningham, about whom I know an awful lot.
Nice knees.
The minister must contain herself and not keep talking about Iain Smith's knees.
I pay tribute to the festival's director, Rob Murray Brown, and his small team of four dedicated trustees for their hard work, enthusiasm and fortitude.
The St Andrews festival committee is now looking towards 2009. What better place to showcase St Andrew's day next year than the place where it all began? St Andrews, par excellence, ticks the boxes of all five major themes of the year of homecoming. I remind members of what those are: golf; our ancestors; the Scottish enlightenment; Burns; and whisky. St Andrews is the world home of golf. On ancestry, as the BBC's "A History of Scotland" exemplifies, few towns in Scotland have produced more distinguished historical figures. As the home of the nation's oldest university, St Andrews is right there with Edinburgh as the cradle of the enlightenment. The St Andrews Burns club, of which I am a proud former president, is the 13th oldest club in the Robert Burns World Federation—older than the Edinburgh Burns club. Finally, with at least one famous dram named after St Andrews, the town's residents yield to none in their respect for the amber nectar.
I hope that the minister will take into account the unique attributes of St Andrews when planning her diary for next year and that she will commit herself to taking part in at least some of the events that are planned by the organisers of the St Andrews festival. When it comes to funding, we assume that the minister will ensure that St Andrews is not belittled by the large budgets that will surely be available to the major cities next year. We look forward to hearing from her soon on that point.
Scottish Conservatives have no problems with the principle of St Andrew's day being a holiday, with the one caveat that it should not be an additional day off work—a sentiment that the previous Administration finally accepted. On behalf of all who hold St Andrews dear, and particularly those who see it as the natural and appropriate focus for the nation's celebrations around 30 November, I move the amendment in my name, in the hope that all other members will endorse it.
I move amendment S3M-2965.1, to insert at end:
", and welcomes the example set by the ancient burgh of St Andrews in organising its own programme of events for St Andrew's Day, which provides an appropriate focus for the nation's celebrations at this time of year."
I wish everyone a happy St Andrew's day. We will support the Government motion and the Conservative amendment, although we have clearly been entrapped into supporting an event in St Andrews next year—all credit to Ted Brocklebank for that.
St Andrew's day has been celebrated around the globe for many years, but perhaps it does not have the significance that it deserves. It is the feast day of St Andrew, the patron saint of Scotland. In last year's debate on the issue, in which I did not take part, many versions of why St Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland were suggested. I note the version that is given by the BBC, which suggests that the Scots chose St Andrew because St Peter, his brother, held sway with the Pope, and the Scots thought that they might need the Pope's influence against the belligerent English. Of course, I make the point that that is the historical context.
Scottish Labour believes that 30 November is Scotland's national day and should be celebrated throughout the country, and that we should work towards its becoming an even more significant event in the Scottish calendar. However, it should not all be about having the fun that we will clearly have this afternoon. I prefer Ted Brocklebank's version—the Red Hot Chilli Peppers—because I am a fan of the American rock band, but that is not to say that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are not a fantastic advert for Scotland. When taking part in the activities that have been organised, the Parliament should reflect on the kind of Scotland that we want to build. Unlike Ted Brocklebank, I welcome the chance to do that today, because we should use St Andrew's day to discuss our common values and how we can work together to achieve a better quality of life for our citizens.
I do not think that the celebrations are yet big and bold enough, although I am sure that that will come. I recognise, however, that the Scottish Government has attempted to grow the stature of the national day. I was an early supporter of Dennis Canavan's bill, which became the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Act 2007, and I note that more Scots are opting to take the 30th as a holiday.
On Saturday, I will represent the Labour group at Holyrood on the Scottish Trades Union Congress march. We will be joined by the Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, as we march in support of one of Scotland's big interests—the fight against racism. There will be little disagreement among us that we should create a Scotland that welcomes all Scots and those who choose to make Scotland their home. There is no place for racism or fascism, and there is no platform for racism or fascism.
I welcome the United Kingdom Government's recent announcement on opting into the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, ending the incarceration of asylum seeker children and migrant children. That is the right thing to do. The matter has been raised by many MSPs, not least the former First Minister, Jack McConnell.
We will continue to talk about what holds us together, although we all know that we have differences, too. That is quite legitimate. We did not lodge an amendment because we recognise that the Government is trying to get consensus around the idea of building the importance of St Andrew's day. We should continue the trend of the former First Minister, Jack McConnell—who, incidentally, introduced the badges that some of us are wearing today.
Scotland's flag—the saltire—is the national flag, and it should fly on all public buildings. In last year's debate, Sandra White said that
"the saltire can belong to anyone",
but that
"we, as a political party, are identified with it."—[Official Report, 29 November 2007; c 3980.]
I am sure that Labour is not alone in reclaiming Scotland's flag to ensure that, as our national flag, it can be worn by us all. It symbolises that we are all proud to be Scottish, without the inference that it represents the Scottish National Party. It is not the nationalist flag; it is the national flag. I hope that the minister agrees with that.
We in our party are also proud to be part of a successful, modern United Kingdom, and we see the Scottish flag as a flag of unity with other nations as part of the UK. For most of us, being Scottish or British—however we wish to define ourselves—is not the only defining factor. I think of myself as a democratic socialist, a feminist and an internationalist, but being Scottish is very much something for individuals to define.
We have differences of opinion about Scotland's future, however, which we will continue to argue over. Recent trends show that Scots continue to reject independence as the way forward. So far, on the whole, Scots believe that stronger home rule is the way forward for Scotland. The SNP should not attempt to play politics with St Andrew's day—there is some suggestion that a referendum could be held two years from today, on St Andrew's day itself. It would be really wrong to do that. The debate around the referendum should be separate.
Rob Brown, a member of the SNP, has called on the party to drop those plans, because of falling support for independence. It does nothing to help Scotland's future to have uncertainty over our constitutional arrangements hanging over us. Labour does not agree that the future of Scotland lies with a local income tax or the Scottish Futures Trust, and the Government is struggling to demonstrate that Scotland's economic future lies with those policies.
Will the member take an intervention?
I am sorry—I am just finishing.
We strongly believe that Scotland's future lies with stronger devolution and with policies that ensure that there will continue to be new schools, new hospitals and a stronger health service and which tackle poverty. We will continue to hold the Government to account on those issues.
The concept of the Calman commission, which the Parliament endorsed, is critical in deciding the way forward. With 170 submissions, it has been shown to be a dynamic process. I believe that stronger home rule for Scotland is what Scots will support.
Despite our obvious and deep differences over the constitutional issue, I believe that there is plenty of common ground, across all parties, for us to build on the hopes and values that we have for our country. We will work towards doing that.
I feel slightly guilty that I did not put my kilt on today so that I could bare my knees in the chamber. I was proud to wear my kilt when I represented Scotland and the Scottish Parliament during Scotland week in the United States and Canada earlier this year. I am pleased to hear that at the weekend, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers will visit St Andrews, which is in my constituency. Members and Scottish Government ministers seemed like a supporting act as we followed the Red Hot Chilli Pipers around North America during Scotland week.
I always welcome the opportunity to extol in the chamber the virtues of my constituency of North East Fife, so I thank the Conservatives for their amendment, which will allow me to do that at length today.
However, it is with some regret that I rise to speak in the debate—although I probably do not regret it as much as those who are listening to me do. I do not intend to undermine the importance of St Andrew's day, but is it really so important and pressing that the Scottish National Party Government thinks we should address it when thousands of Scots face their bleakest winter for many years? Small businesses are on the verge of collapse, not because they do not have any work but because they cannot get their hands on working capital. Shop workers in high streets across Scotland, including in St Andrews, face an uncertain future, with household names such as Woolworths and MFI going into administration. Thousands of bank jobs are at risk under the HBOS-Lloyds TSB merger that is being forced through by the UK Government.
Will the member take an intervention on that point?
In a moment.
Pensioners and low-income families face the bleak choice of heating or eating as energy companies fail to pass on the cuts in oil prices by cutting fuel bills, and more and more people face losing their homes as banks fail to pass on interest rate cuts. Surely the Scottish Government should make constructive proposals about how it will implement its six-point plan for economic recovery for the Parliament to consider and debate, rather than have another filler debate on St Andrew's day.
Thank you for taking the intervention. You seem to be blaming the Government, or the Parliament, for debating St Andrew's day. In the next part of your speech, will you suggest that we cancel Christmas?
I remind members that remarks should be made through the chair.
Gil Paterson's intervention does not even merit a response. If SNP members do not think that the issues that I mentioned are the most important ones for the Parliament to debate at this time, that sums them up.
The member makes a good point. Last week, we had debates on identity cards, which is a reserved area, and on—
Order. I remind George Foulkes and Iain Smith that we must address the motion that is in front of us, which is not a business motion on whether we should have the debate.
It is not anything to do with Christmas, either.
We had a debate on the future of Scottish aquaculture last week, too. Iain Smith is right. As we debate St Andrew's day, it is perfectly valid to point out that there are many more important matters that the Scottish Government is frightened to bring before the Parliament.
I thank George Foulkes for that intervention, although I point out that the billions of pounds that are being wasted on ID cards would be better spent on boosting Scotland's economy.
Can we get back to the motion, please?
I had thought of starting my speech today by suggesting that we were in danger of turning St Andrew's Day into groundhog day, until I checked last year's debate on the same issue and discovered that that was what I said then. Indeed, most of what I thought I would say today, I covered during last year's debate. I thought at one point that I would just read out last year's speech. It is probably a relief to all that I have only four minutes for my speech, which I have shortened accordingly. However, I stress that I support the Scottish Government's attempts to strengthen the place of St Andrew's day as the official celebration of Scotland and the start of our winter festival.
As we look ahead to the year of homecoming—an idea that was first mooted by my Liberal Democrat former colleague Donald Gorrie and promoted and developed by the Liberal Democrats in the coalition Government—St Andrew's day must surely have the central role at the culmination of that year of celebration. I would welcome more information about exactly how the Scottish Government is intensifying activity and support for homecoming 2009, which is one of the six points in the cunning plan for the economy. In particular, perhaps the minister can tell us how the Government will support bids for activities for St Andrews day 2009 that are linked to the year of homecoming. I echo Ted Brocklebank's comments on funding and support for bids, about which I have already written to the minister. It is important that early decisions are made.
In my view, it would be entirely appropriate for the focus of the St Andrew's day 2009 celebrations in the year of homecoming to be in St Andrews itself. As the ancient ecclesiastic and academic centre of Scotland, St Andrews is well placed to be the focal point of the culmination of a year that celebrates Scotland's past and looks ahead to its future. That is why I am more than happy to support the amendment in Ted Brocklebank's name, which highlights what is happening in St Andrews this year to celebrate St Andrews day.
As Ted Brocklebank said, the St Andrews festival has been running for many years, providing a series of events in the week leading up to St Andrew's day. I am pleased that this year's programme has been enhanced, and I welcome the support of the Scottish Government, Fife Council and others for the festival. On Sunday, I look forward to participating in the St Andrew's day celebrations, which include the traditional beating of the retreat, the St Andrew's day procession, a play and an oration. There will also be the switching on of the Christmas lights. I have suggested before that we should encourage all burghs, towns and cities in Scotland to switch on their Christmas lights on St Andrew's day and be part of the launch of the winter festival.
I particularly look forward to seeing the son et lumière—sound and light—snapshot of Scotland's epic history, which Ted Brocklebank referred to. That innovative new venture, which is based on festivals of light in places such as Bruges, aims to take advantage of the backdrop of the historic buildings of St Andrews. This year is a trial run of what we hope will be an even more ambitious and spectacular show on St Andrew's day next year to celebrate the year of homecoming.
I hope that many members will visit St Andrews this weekend to join in the celebrations and experience for themselves what we can do to make St Andrew's day special.
I welcome the opportunity to take part in the debate, not just as an MSP in this reconvened Scottish Parliament but as a patriot in the best sense of the word, believing my nation to be no more worthy than any other but distinct in its history, culture, social policies and international perspective on the world—primus inter pares.
I pay tribute to Dennis Canavan, in absentia. The Labour-Liberal Government initially opposed the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill, which he introduced. However, the then Executive allowed the bill to be passed, on the basis of a mean compromise that St Andrew's day would not be an additional public holiday. It took the view that establishing a public holiday was not within the competence of the Parliament—what's new? I commend the Conservatives, who, along with the Scottish National Party, supported the bill all along. This, when Scotland has nine public holidays compared with 13 in Norway and Sweden and 15 in Finland.
Among those northern neighbours, and indeed other European countries, we are one of the oldest nations in Europe—we stretch back to the ninth century. We have one of the oldest flags—that universal symbol of nationhood. Wherever and whenever the saltire is flown or carried, it identifies our national DNA not only to the 25 million people who claim Scottish descent but to people throughout the world.
Despite 301 years of union with our larger and historically predatory neighbour, and despite decades of efforts—brutal and subtle—to assimilate us, we have remained clearly and distinctly a nation in our own right. Thankfully, gone are the days when the voice of the BBC was received-pronunciation English, and accents—Scots or otherwise—were considered a mark of the less educated. I speak from childhood experience: children I knew in my street were sent to elocution lessons to learn to speak properly.
Since 1999, the Parliament has grown in maturity and skill—attributes that have even, on occasion, been displayed in debates. For some members, devolution is a process, not an end in itself.
Will the member take an intervention?
I will let Lord Foulkes in in a minute.
Four of the Parliament's parties and its independent member believe that we should have increased fiscal powers. Given the economic mess that has been dumped on us by the Blair/Brown years, which Darling is trying to shovel up, such increased powers cannot come too soon. If you feel the Scots' pain so much, Iain Smith, you should vote for independence.
I remind the member to address her remarks through the chair.
It is symbols of nationhood, such as our patron saint and the flag that is symbolic of his crucifixion, that have carried the heart and hopes of Scots in good and bad, from the confrontations on football pitches to those on battlefields.
It is more than financially astute to celebrate St Andrew's day. I say to Ted Brocklebank that there is money to be made in tourism opportunities. To lead from St Andrew's day to a winter festival would be no bad thing—I would welcome it. However, far more important for me is the symbolic reminder that we are the Scottish people, whether or not we were born here—I was not. We are distinct in our values from our neighbours to the east, south and west. We are proud to be so and determined to remain so.
Where is that symbol of our patron saint more distinct than in our flag, the saltire, which was inspired by the vision at Athelstaneford in 832 AD, where King Angus—Angus is my oldest son's name; there is DNA for you—led the Scots in battle to defeat the Angles? The night before battle, St Andrew appeared before King Angus, assuring him of victory, and in the morning a white saltire against a blue sky appeared to both sides. Would that happen today? It is said that the Angles lost confidence and were defeated, and that image has been our flag ever since.
Today, in commemoration of St Andrew's day, the saltire—symbol of St Andrew and Scotland—flies over many buildings. It flies above the Forth road bridge for the first time, although it does not yet have pole position on Edinburgh castle, over our capital city. I will let a unionist in.
I always hesitate to intervene when Christine Grahame is in full flow, but I was interested in what she said about received pronunciation on the BBC. When I listen to the BBC, I regularly hear the tones of Jim Naughtie, Kirsty Wark and Eddie Mair coming from London. Does Christine Grahame condemn them for taking Dr Johnson's advice and taking the high road to London?
I will give Lord Foulkes my speech to read later. He was not listening. I said "historically". I hope that he knows what that means.
Today, in commemoration of St Andrew's day, his flag is flying over Edinburgh castle, but not in pole position. The British Government, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, designated it as an official flag-flying station. The union flag therefore takes precedence. Yet, by the Scotland Act 1998, and by agreement between the Crown Estate commissioners and the Scottish Office, ownership of Edinburgh castle and other historic buildings transferred from the Crown to the Secretary of State for Scotland, and thence to the Scottish ministers. The transfer of 26 properties took place in 1999. Fact. Law. They included, inter alia, Edinburgh castle. The Government, through its ministers, is the owner, and is therefore landlord to the MOD. The MOD is our tenant. It is time the landlords—the Scottish people—told the tenants to take the union flag down and fly the saltire in its place, not only because it symbolises our nation and its patron saint, but because if it is good enough for recruiting Scots to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is good enough to fly all the year round.
Presiding Officer, as they say in entertainment, follow that. However, I am delighted to be taking part in the debate.
The motion calls on us
"to celebrate our history, culture and traditions as well as the vibrant, creative and dynamic nation that Scotland is today".
No doubt there are those on the SNP benches who believe that that has happened only since May of last year, but they are the ones who look at the world through saltire-covered glasses.
However, I do not want to be churlish today. We should consider what happens in other countries that, like Scotland, have St Andrew as their patron saint. Apologies in advance for what will be poor pronunciation, but in Germany they have Andreasnacht, or St Andrew's night; in Austria the custom is Andreasgebet, or St Andrew's prayer; while in Poland it is simply Andrzejki, or Andrew's.
There are many superstitions related to St Andrew's night in Germany, Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Romania. It is interesting to note that many of those superstitions centre on the fact that the night before St Andrew's day is especially suitable for magic that will reveal a young woman's future husband to her. In some areas of Austria, for example, young women would drink wine and then perform a spell—the Andreasgebet that I mentioned earlier—while nude and kicking a straw bed. That, it was believed, would magically attract their future husband. Heaven knows why, but that is what they said. Yet another custom saw young women throw a clog over their shoulder. If it landed pointing at the door, they would get married the same year. Sadly, neither history nor the internet records what happened to the clog throwing after marriage.
To be serious, I particularly wanted to participate in this debate to celebrate the 10th anniversary of another St Andrew's day speech. It was made by our late First Minister, Donald Dewar, when he was Secretary of State for Scotland. Someone had the bright idea that he should deliver it in St Andrews itself on 30 November 1998.
Me!
Yes, I am looking at him across the chamber. The speech was made only a few short months before the creation of this Scottish Parliament. It was the second of a series of three, setting out what Mr Dewar's vision of devolution for Scotland would mean. Reading the speech again, I see that the message Donald delivered on that occasion is as true today as it was then. It bears repeating.
Commenting on the constitutional settlement put in place through the Scotland Act 1998, he said:
"What we have is a stable settlement. It is stable because it is the right settlement for Scotland, because it reflects what the people of Scotland want. It strikes the balance between the advantages of doing things our way in Scotland and the advantages of working together in the UK.
We are a Government committed to change and modernisation. It would be absurd to pretend that ours will be the last word on every detail of the constitutional settlement. Indeed, the framework put in place by the Scotland Act explicitly allows for adjustment, to reflect changing circumstances. If, through experience and by consent, we want to adjust the settlement, the machinery is in place."
I think we can infer from those comments that Donald Dewar would have supported the Calman commission on devolution, which is due to report next week.
Donald Dewar, as I know, had a clear view of what he wanted from the Scottish Parliament. He said that it would be
"A Parliament in Scotland, a Parliament with wide powers; this Parliament has the chance—the responsibility—to build a modern Scotland."
He said that the Government's focus on the economy, education and health care would give Scotland a position of strength on which the Parliament and Executive would build. He called on the new Scottish Executive—as it was called then—to maintain those priorities in order to meet the challenges of social exclusion.
However, no Dewar speech would be complete without a lyrical passage. He went on to say:
"What makes our country special is not just our history, the beauty of the land, a unique and vigorous culture.
What makes our country special is the way we have built our fortunes, not through introspection, but through open engagement with a wider world.
What makes our country special is the strength of our values. Our commitment to equality of opportunity and social justice.
It is the values of the people of this country which will give value to our Parliament. It is the values of the people of Scotland, the way we view the world, which will create the opportunities, the challenges, for that Parliament".
Donald Dewar was passionate about social justice, as I think we all are. He wanted to see a better and fairer society, with better education to provide opportunities for those who miss out and more people in work, because work provides the chance to build a better life and, in so doing, to contribute to the wider community. On that night in St Andrews, he said:
"Yes, constitutional change matters. Yes, we must get it right. But I am not standing for the Scottish Parliament to prolong a debate on constitutional change.
I want a Scotland which will fight social exclusion.
I want a Scottish Executive which promotes prosperity and uses that wealth to fight poverty.
I want a Scottish Executive which sets high standards for our schools because our children deserve nothing less.
I want a Scottish Executive which shares in the modernisation of the welfare state, working with Westminster to build a better Britain.
And I want that to be our debate—not a wrangle over whether we do or do not tear ourselves out of the Union, but working together to make a stronger Scotland within a stronger United Kingdom."
I am happy to support the Government's motion on St Andrew's day. I hope that St Andrew's day helps to prepare the way for a successful year of homecoming next year, when we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. I am pleased that the Government has allocated more resources to homecoming events—better late than never.
As someone who had a hand in organising Donald Dewar's speech in St Andrews 10 years ago, I am glad to welcome the ancient burgh's programme of events. I also suggest that an annual state of the nation speech by the First Minister in St Andrews on St Andrew's day might be worthy of inclusion.
Will the member take an intervention?
The member is just winding up.
I am winding up.
Let me conclude by saying:
"So there is the challenge to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Ministers.
Build an inclusive society, an outward looking and prosperous society. Found it on fairness and opportunity for all … That is what the people of Scotland want, that is what they deserve. And I am confident that is what they will get."
Those are not my words but Donald Dewar's words. They are as true today as when he said them 10 years ago. I think that St Andrew would have approved.
At this time next year, the year of homecoming will be drawing to its official close, on St Andrew's day 2009. At this time in two years, I hope that the treaty of union will also be drawing to a close, given the First Minister's stated ambition of holding an independence referendum around St Andrew's day in 2010.
St Andrew's day has always had significance in Scotland. I expect that historic significance to grow over the next few years. Today's debate takes place not only on St Andrew's day but, coincidentally, on American thanksgiving day. Many parallels can be drawn between the two celebrations: both are distinctive traditions that have evolved over time and become associated internationally with the countries in which they originated.
Of course, as others have said, Scotland does not have a monopoly on St Andrew. In addition to the countries on David Whitton's list, Russia and Greece have St Andrew as their patron—as do fishermen, singers and rope-makers—but we have a claim not only to his patronage but to his relics, which were in the town of St Andrews, as Ted Brocklebank's amendment reminds us.
St Andrew and the flag of St Andrew have become key symbols of Scotland and what it stands for. Again, we can draw on the American thanksgiving day tradition of celebrating cultural diversity and the common humanity that draws us together. I am proud that Scotland's egalitarian traditions find expression in such days of national celebration. Just as the American holiday season begins with thanksgiving and ends with new year, so Scotland's winter festival is increasingly seen as starting with St Andrew's day and ending with Burns night. Those are two hinges on which so much that Scotland has to offer the wider world can hang.
I have already touched on one way that that can happen with the 2009 year of homecoming. The Scottish Government initiative promotes a welcoming image of modern, inclusive Scotland and invites everyone who has an affinity with our country to come home, whether they see Scotland as their ancestral home or a spiritual home, and share in the enjoyment of our culture, heritage and environment.
Of course, the year of homecoming and our national days—St Andrew's day and Burns night, with hogmanay resting in between—are not just about the feel-good factor. There is a clear economic and social benefit to making the most of those opportunities. Global marketing and the unique series of events that are associated with the year of homecoming will significantly boost our tourism industry during these tough economic times.
Interestingly, Wendy Alexander's paper "Change is what we do" referred to people aspiring to two foreign holidays a year, as well as a second home and car ownership. Maybe that is how Labour thinks that people will spend their way out of recession, but perhaps the option of holidaying at home will become more attractive and economically beneficial to Scotland. I hope that the year of homecoming will inspire many people in Scotland to stay at home for their holiday next year and take part in the range of special events that are planned, or just enjoy what our multiform and vast Scotland has to offer. As the minister said, the pupils of Larkhall academy are doing their bit to promote a positive image of Scotland with their unite Scotland campaign.
The south of Scotland will have plenty to offer participants in the year of homecoming. Throughout Ayrshire and the Borders, celebration of Burns, golf and traditions such as the common ridings are being promoted not just to the usual suspects but to audiences in Scotland and around the world who might not be so familiar with those aspects of our heritage. In addition, I have spoken in the chamber several times about the importance of world heritage sites, such as New Lanark, to the year of homecoming as a focus for activity and for attracting visitors. St Andrew's day, along with Burns night, acts as a hinge for many of the opportunities that we have for promoting Scotland and celebrating our diverse culture and heritage.
Today's debate also gives us the opportunity to think about how we can build on the potential of our national day. I welcome the Scottish Government's moves to formalise the day as a holiday for its staff and to encourage more employers throughout the country to offer the day as a holiday. This year, St Andrew's day falls on a Sunday, which offers families and workers an opportunity to have an extra long weekend. I hope that many people will be able to take advantage of it.
Unfortunately, as Christine Grahame said, the Parliament still does not have the power to do something as simple as institute St Andrew's day as a full public holiday to which everyone has legal entitlement. Scotland already has a different public holiday schedule from the rest of the UK, despite UK ministers' attempts earlier this year to promote a Britishness day on a public holiday that does not exist in Scotland. We also still have the lowest number of public holidays in Europe. That is one way in which St Andrew's day differs from American thanksgiving: our friends in the United States of America are enjoying a well-earned rest and a day off work. Even the stock exchange is closed. However, here in Scotland, unionist politicians stand in the way of giving the Parliament the power to give our population an extra holiday as the winter closes in.
Indeed, despite some folk proclaiming to be democrats, they still refuse to accept the democratic right of the people to choose independence as a route for Scotland. That is why I hope that, come St Andrew's day 2010, the people of Scotland will be in a position to reclaim that power for their Government, and all the powers that a normal, independent country enjoys. Greenland has just taken a step closer to independence from Denmark in a democratic referendum. Even in these tough economic times, with a population of just 57,000, the people of Greenland are confident in their ability to play a bigger role on the world stage and manage their own affairs more directly.
St Andrew's day is already a popular chance to celebrate all that Scotland has to offer. The Government's work to develop its potential is commendable and will make a lasting difference to the way in which we mark the day in future. St Andrew's day is one of the hinges on which Scotland's cultural calendar rests. I hope that all members in the chamber and people throughout Scotland have the chance to take a bit of a rest this weekend, and I wish them all a very happy St Andrew's day.
I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate on St Andrew's day and, in a spirit of consensus, I endorse the Tory amendment. As someone who has been a frequent visitor to St Andrews over the years, I know that it offers many attractions, which are not just to do with golf. The town has a number of other facilities and sights.
The debate gives us an opportunity to celebrate St Andrew's day, to reflect on the successes of Scottish life and to contemplate what sort of future we want for Scotland. When we look back at the history of Scotland, there is much to reflect on. It is interesting that the debate is being held on the same day as the statement on science. We have proud engineering and scientific traditions. Each day, as I come to Edinburgh on the train, I look across at the Forth rail bridge and often marvel at what a tremendous engineering achievement it is.
For its scientific achievements, which include those of Fleming, Bell and Baird, Scotland stands out as a beacon to the world. One in every 100 people who are employed in Scotland is a scientist. Challenges have been faced in the past, and our scientists can face them in the future, in key areas such as energy, renewables and climate change. They can help us to tackle some of the Parliament's policy priorities, such as reducing carbon emissions, tackling fuel poverty and keeping Scotland's lights burning.
I welcome Linda Fabiani's comments about the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. The spirit of Burns is alive and well in my constituency. Many of the schools in Rutherglen and Cambuslang participate in the Bridgeton Burns competition that is held every January. Calderwood primary school and St Columbkilles primary school were successful in the competition last year, and I wish them every success in the coming competition. Participation in such competitions and celebration of the life and poetry of Burns help with the creation of good young citizens. I see evidence of that in the schools in my constituency, where many of the youngsters who take part in Burns-related events go on to participate in fair trade events and to campaign on such issues.
The debate gives us an opportunity to consider what sort of Scotland we want to create and allows us to speak up for the people of Scotland. We want a Scotland that has modern schools, not a Scotland where a third of schools are not fit for purpose. We want schools in which we can educate our young people so that they can go on to be leaders in society. We want a Scotland that has a strong health service that will tackle health inequalities, not a Scotland where—as is the case in my constituency—there are fewer general practitioners in areas of deprivation than there are in more prosperous constituencies, where life expectancy is higher. We want a Scotland that will make progress on meeting the 2012 homelessness targets and achieve the campaign objectives that many of us signed up to last week when the Shelter campaign came to the Parliament.
A number of members have mentioned the independence debate. Some people wave the saltire and claim that St Andrew's day will help the cause of independence, but I do not subscribe to that view. Recent events have weakened the case for independence. The arc of prosperity has crumbled. One need only look at the situation in Iceland, where the banks are in crisis, where interest rates went up by 6 per cent in one day—a greater rise than took place under the Tories on black Wednesday—
Can the member remind the Parliament of the last western country to go to the International Monetary Fund? I think that he will find that it was the UK under the Labour Party.
The crisis that impacted on Iceland has impacted on Scotland. The fact that a number of local authorities had deposits in Icelandic banks has really brought the crisis home.
The price of oil has come down by a third and the UK Government has come to the rescue of the Scottish banks, thereby shoring up crucial parts of the Scottish economy. The economic case for independence has been weakened. We are stronger together and weaker apart, so it is better to celebrate St Andrew's day within the union.
From Robert Burns to J K Rowling, there is a lot to celebrate in Scottish life. We should remember our heritage, tap into Scotland's talent and speak out for the disadvantaged. If we do that, Scotland will continue to flourish and we can celebrate St Andrew's day with pride.
Unlike some members, I am delighted to take part in the debate. The members who have not been able to talk to the motion but who have instead used the debate for other purposes should take a leaf out of the book of Dennis Canavan, who is in the public gallery again and who has tried for many years to have St Andrew's day celebrated properly.
I am happy to take part in the debate for two reasons. The first is the long-standing interest that I have had in St Andrew's day since, some years ago, when I was leader of Clackmannanshire Council, I proposed that it should be a public holiday in the council area. The second reason is much more recent and relates to the People's Postcode Lottery. Before anyone suggests otherwise, I have no interests, as yet, to declare in that regard. However, it transpires that today many of my constituents in part of Kinross have become the winners of the first-ever St Andrew's day belter and will share £1 million as a result. As we debate the significance of St Andrew's day and how and why we should celebrate it, my constituents in Kinross know exactly why they will celebrate that special day forever more.
I should clarify that my good friend and colleague the Minister for Parliamentary Business, although a resident of the fine town of Kinross, will have to satisfy himself with more traditional reasons to celebrate St Andrew's day. To coin a phrase and to refer to another lottery, he should be aware that you have to be in it to win it. I should also mention that the Kinross residents' win will be celebrated on St Andrew's day with a party in Kinross.
As I said, several years ago Clackmannanshire Council established St Andrew's day as a local holiday but, unfortunately, the decision was subsequently reversed by a Labour administration. When I proposed the idea, I mentioned that it should perhaps be the kick-off for a winter festival that would run through to Burns night. I also suggested, although I would not do so now, that it might be a good idea to make it the first day on which people were allowed to go Christmas shopping. That was a personal ambition, but it did not work then and it perhaps would not go down well today. The day continues to be celebrated in Clackmannanshire. Tomorrow morning, Alva academy will have its second annual St Andrew's day awards, which John Beattie and I will attend. Strathdevon primary school will also hold events. It just so happens that my two sons go to those schools. It is good to hear from members that similar events are happening more widely throughout Scotland.
As others have said, although St Andrew's day is a Scottish event, it is also international. The St Andrew's cross furnishes the flag of Tenerife and the Russian naval ensign, as well as the other flags that members have mentioned. St Andrew was crucified in Greece, in the city of Patras, which now honours him and, of course, 30 November. Coincidentally, Patras is traditionally considered to be the birthplace of the Greek revolution for independence and against Ottoman rule in 1821. Before anyone accuses me of trying to make a national holiday a nationalist one, they should consider that, in Greece, there is no distinction between the two. As one of the definitions of nationalism is that it is the idea of supporting one's country and culture, I do not understand why some members are so afraid of being nationalists, or why some are afraid of being Scottish nationalists when they are happy to be British nationalists.
The SNP has been charged with using the saltire for political purposes. Those comments were made much more widely in the corresponding debate last year, but they were made again today by Pauline McNeill. The reason why that happens is that, in the past, the unionist parties have been afraid to use the saltire in any literature and have not been nearly as ready to use it as they have been ready to use the union jack. Famously, Tony Blair always had a union jack behind him when making public statements and we should remember his entry to Downing Street, with union jacks supplied by the Labour Party. The idea of a Britain day has been touted by the current Prime Minister. Members would do well to ensure that they are not in a glass house before they start throwing those stones. I recall from my time as an elections officer that, some time ago, Fife Council ordered the taking down of a saltire from one of its schools because it was seen to be eliciting support for the SNP—that was the returning officer's decision.
I do not really care whether St Andrew's day is national or nationalist; such a discussion makes me think of angels, or perhaps patron saints, dancing on the head of a pin. I care that the day is accepted as a celebration of Scotland and its shared heritage with Europe and the wider world, which is sometimes all too easy to forget, and I associate myself with Pauline McNeill's remarks about anti-racism in that regard.
Last week I had the chance to speak at a conference in Edinburgh on issues relating to migration to Scotland. I will remember that conference for a long time, not least because, when I left after talking for too long, I found that I had a £30 parking ticket—perhaps we could use such an innovation in Parliament. I mentioned at that conference that when people come to this country, we should take it as a real compliment that they want to make their future here. That contrasts with the fearful tones that we strike sometimes when we talk about immigration. A number of speakers at the conference who are involved with immigration were complimentary of both the Scottish Government's and the previous Scottish Executive's approaches to immigration through the one Scotland, many cultures theme.
The point has been made that although Scotland is internationalist, it has its own culture. We have to bear it in mind that many people come to Scotland to celebrate that culture, so we should not be afraid of displaying it or celebrating events such as St Andrew's day. We should be keen to let the world see what we can do through a revitalised St Andrew's day in a renewed Scotland. I am happy to support the motion, as well as Ted Brocklebank's amendment.
We have had a fairly lively debate. Before I start, I congratulate Christine Grahame on her firebrand speech. I imagine that if we had put a claymore in her hand as she was speaking, we would have cleared the gallery right away.
My fear is that the Scottish Government is likely to suggest that anyone who criticises the St Andrew's day plans shows a lack of ambition for Scotland. In my view, the people of Scotland are not obsessed with the St Andrew's day bank holiday; they are quite content with the current arrangement that allows them to choose to take that day off if they so wish, in exchange for another bank holiday.
The SNP wants to dictate the national mood by using St Andrew's day as a Government-sponsored exercise in flag waving—we heard quite a bit of debate about flag waving earlier. The Scottish Liberal Democrats recognise and celebrate that Scottish people can be—and most are—patriotic about Scotland, but are also unionists. We believe in Scotland's potential and have contributed to it. The SNP must focus on what people all across Scotland want, whether they were born here or have chosen to make it their home.
I fear that the SNP will use the St Andrew's day celebrations to its own advantage. It appears to have failed to deliver its promise to make St Andrew's day a full public holiday. The much-heralded winter festival about which we heard earlier is to run from St Andrew's day until Burns night. I note that £300,000 has been allocated in each year of the spending review to provide support for St Andrew's day celebrations throughout Scotland. How much, if any, of that money is earmarked to support the winter festival? Although my colleagues and I think that the idea of a winter festival is a sound one that should be supported, we have to maximise its potential and ensure that it is adequately resourced, as well as properly managed and promoted, if it is to be successful.
At the moment, it merely appears that any cultural event that occurs between St Andrew's day and Burns night has been co-opted into the festival. I wish it success. If we compare the funding provided for it with the money given to the Edinburgh festival expo fund to promote the Scottish work of the festivals—£2 million has been allocated to that fund in each year of the spending review—it is apparent that the commitment to the winter festival is nowhere near as much as the SNP would like everyone to believe.
We are told that many public facilities will be open. I understand that more than 60 of Scotland's top tourist sites will be open free of charge on St Andrew's day. I wish them success, but, according to the press reports, there seems to be
"Little enthusiasm for taking time off for St Andrew's Day".
The press also suggested that the
"first state-sanctioned St Andrew's holiday is shaping up to be a non-event."
A spokesman from the Royal Bank of Scotland was quoted as saying that there was
"no indication of a surge in interest"
in taking the day as a holiday.
Perhaps people are waiting for Gordon Brown's special day. He suggested that remembrance day should be set aside as a day for celebration—a bank holiday—to celebrate Britishness.
It will come as no surprise to people here that the Scottish Liberal Democrats support the option that now exists for people to take St Andrew's day as a holiday, if they so wish, in exchange for another bank holiday. We also welcome the opportunity that it presents to celebrate Scotland and Scottish culture and to promote the very best of Scotland both at home and abroad.
We celebrate Scotland in the early 21st century as a proud and integral part of the United Kingdom and we believe that we continue to flourish as a self-confident nation within the union. St Andrew's day can and should be a celebration of Scotland in all its rich diversity—its culture, language, music and people.
It is interesting to note that the public school near Slough, which was attended by our Presiding Officer; David Cameron, the leader of the Tories; and me, and which endeavoured to teach me to speak properly, always celebrated St Andrew's day as a holiday. It did so out of respect for Scotland, which it considered to be a very important part of the United Kingdom.
Many thanks are due to Dennis Canavan for all the work that he did to get the St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill on the statute book. I am happy to see him sitting in the public gallery today.
The debate has been useful and interesting. The Conservatives have long argued that extending tourism throughout the year is crucial to the future of Scotland's tourism sector and more general economic success, not least in my region of the Highlands and Islands, where tourism is the largest source of income and provider of employment.
We are very successful at attracting visitors in summer, but less successful in winter when, relatively speaking, tourism spend is even more important. We welcome the opportunity that St Andrew's day provides as part of a winter festival and an introduction to the year of homecoming, of which we are wholly supportive. However, we feel that more could have been done to link St Andrew's day 2008 to the beginning of the year of homecoming in 2009. We are not going to have such a valuable opportunity very often. I think that we would all agree that we cannot underestimate the potential for Scotland of the year of homecoming.
We heard yesterday about the vast nature of the Scottish diaspora and I agree with the speakers who have highlighted its importance. Professor Tom Devine summed it up effectively when he said:
"The effect of the Scottish Diaspora was total—economic, political, cultural, social, scientific and educational—and on a massive scale from the medieval period onwards."
The result is a market of millions of people throughout the world who instinctively feel warmth and some kind of loyalty towards this country. The audience of those across the globe who have some appreciation of Robert Burns—surely one of the greatest poetic talents the world has ever produced—is greater still.
It is vital that opportunities are grasped to reach out to those who are related to the Scots pioneers who travelled all over the world and to tell them that they and their families are warmly invited to come and visit modern Scotland to rediscover their familial roots while enjoying what Scotland has to offer to the visitor. People will always enjoy Scotland when they get here; we must give them more reasons to come.
Genealogical and historical tourism is important to Scotland, and I am glad to see an eminent and familiar Scottish historian, Michael Fry, sitting in the public gallery. The recently opened family history centre at the National Archives of Scotland on Princes Street is a wonderful facility. I pay tribute to George Mackenzie, the keeper of the records of Scotland, and his team who secured that development in time for the year of homecoming. The centre will be well used by people from all over the planet who are researching their Scottish family trees.
Following the enactment of the Scottish Register of Tartans Bill, which I introduced, George Mackenzie is now also the keeper of tartans. The Scottish register of tartans is neatly located within the National Archives of Scotland, so that people who are researching their Scottish family roots can find out about their tartan at the same time and, I hope, invest in some quality, Scottish-made tartan. That was one of the driving aims behind my bill, and I hope that the Scottish register of tartans will be heavily promoted by ministers throughout the year of homecoming. I will do my bit whenever I can.
I encourage anyone who would like to indulge in a bit of patriotism to don their kilt for St Andrew's day. If they do not yet own a kilt, there would be no better day to go out and invest in one—as long as it is made by one of our fine Scottish kilt manufacturers. Yesterday, I asked the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, what he was doing to promote the wearing of the kilt during the year of homecoming. He said that he was turning his mind to that.
I was interested to hear about the plans for the homecoming in the Highlands, and I welcome the co-ordinated relationship between the Scottish Government and Highland Council on that. Robbie Burns spoke for many of us when he said:
"My heart's in the Highlands, wherever I go."
On St Andrew's day in the Highlands, the street party that is planned for Inverness, with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, will, I am sure, prove popular—as will the visit-for-free day that John Farquhar Munro mentioned. That initiative will extend to some of the Highlands' tourism gems, including the Blackhouse on Lewis, the Highland wildlife park at Kincraig, Fort George and Urquhart castle. The Highlands epitomise Scotland in so many ways. They are Scotland's heartland and its heartbeat. I hope that the events that are planned for the Highlands are successful and demonstrate to the world the modern, vibrant, dynamic country that Scotland is—a country that has some of the best mountain, land and seascapes in the whole world.
We should not forget that St Andrew was the first of the apostles and also a fisherman. There is something appropriate about Scotland having a patron saint who was a fisherman.
The Scottish Conservatives are positive about St Andrew's day, especially the role that it can play in kick-starting winter tourism. As unionists, we are proud to celebrate St Andrew's day, which is a Scottish national holiday, not a Scottish National Party holiday—let us not forget that. We look to the Scottish Government and all its agencies to do everything in their power to ensure that we reap the full benefits of the year of homecoming in 2009. It is of massive importance to the future of tourism in this country and the future success of our economy. I support the amendment in the name of my colleague, Ted Brocklebank.
As I said in my opening speech, I welcome this debate about St Andrew's day. In keeping with other chamber debates on cultural matters, it has not been a disappointment. We have heard a few good stories and there has been a robust exchange of history lessons from David Whitton, Christine Grahame and others, which I have found interesting. The importance in other countries of clog throwing to a young woman's married fate is something that one lives and learns about. I had absolutely no idea that it was Donald Gorrie's idea to have the homecoming. Whoever's idea it was, we are all behind it and we all want a homecoming event that reflects Scotland's diversity and its many talents. I am sure that, in the days to come, the minister will accept ideas from others who want to contribute to the success of the year of homecoming. As the minister said, the year of homecoming is an opportunity to promote the best of Scotland. We should always be doing that, of course, but the event allows us to focus on what we do best. That is why it will be such a huge success.
I have no objection to kilts and tartan, which Ted Brocklebank talked about, and I think that we should celebrate the traditional music of Scotland. However, I add that we live in a modern country and have diverse tastes. As she is a proponent of Scottish contemporary music, the minister will indulge me in a remark about the taste of Scots and the choices of Scots, who still buy more live concert tickets than anyone else in the UK. It always astonishes people to learn that, but that is the case because Scottish people are passionate about their music—whether that trend continues in the current climate remains to be seen. I would argue that T in the Park is as much a Scottish tradition as the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are.
Since we are talking about Scotland's history and culture, I must state that it is important that Scottish Opera's return to business seems to have been a success. Perhaps, in the days to come, we will have a chance to talk about the achievements of Scottish Opera.
As in all debates about culture, there are lots of points of common ground. However, it would not be a healthy political debate if there were not also points of difference. Aileen Campbell made a good speech, but I think that she talked about the referendum on negotiations for independence being this time next year, whereas the Government proposes to hold the referendum two years from now. I repeat what I said before: that is a matter that we will continue to debate. The SNP should not be tempted to put party before country. Whatever the Parliament decides, I think that it is wrong to try to conflate St Andrew's day with any decision about Scotland's future. Although it is important to debate Scotland's future on St Andrew's day, holding a vote on that day is not in the interests of the country.
Leaving aside the issue of the date on which a referendum might be held, is Pauline McNeill saying that she is still in favour of a referendum? If so, will she vote for it when the matter comes before Parliament?
We called on the SNP Government to bring it on and get the question out of the road, but it was too frightened to do that. The Labour Party and, I am sure, other parties that are committed to Scotland's future, will put Scotland's interests first, not our own. The case for independence is weaker than it has ever been, and the case for stronger home rule is a popular choice. It provides the most certainty. I am sure that we will debate that constitutional issue in the days and months to come.
As we did last year, we debated today the use of the saltire—Keith Brown addressed that issue. Just for the avoidance of doubt, I say that Labour members are proud to wear the Scotland badge. We are proud of the Scottish flag, but we are also proud to be part of the UK and its successes. Whatever certain members might think of the UK Government, it has brought workers' rights to the table in a way that no previous Government in the UK has done. For example, it has dealt with maternity rights and the working time directive. Further, let us not forget that when employers tried to get around the working time directive by adding public holidays to the four weeks' leave entitlement, the Labour Government outlawed that. Surely that should be applauded.
It is strange that we have been accused of being party political during this debate about St Andrew's day. I shall reread Pauline McNeill's speech in the Official Report, but it seems to be making a lot of party political points. Perhaps it is acceptable to support the union but not to fight for independence.
I will take no lessons from Christine Grahame, who made quite a political contribution. It is legitimate to talk about political issues on St Andrew's day. What I said is that it is quite wrong for the SNP to use St Andrew's day when it decides to put something to the vote. That is clearly wrong.
To me, there is no contradiction in using St Andrew's day to talk about the values to which we hold true, and workers' rights are values that we on this side of the chamber, and others, hold to be important.
We also talk about what type of Scotland we want. I agree with Keith Brown on that point, as there are things that hold us together.
I am an internationalist, as I know many members are, and it is important to talk about Scotland's role around the world. It is legitimate for Scotland to have a view on many aspects of international policy, such as what is happening in the middle east and what action is being taken in relation to natural disasters. Many Scots want to hold their heads up high and do what is right for countries that are in need.
There was an exchange at question time today on the Government's international development policy, which I hope that we will continue to discuss. It is going in the right direction and Scotland has a part to play in international development, although the role of the UK Government and what it has done should also be recognised. I am sure that none of us will forget that many Scots are proud to have played a part in the fall of the apartheid regime in South Africa—many of us in the chamber played our part in that.
David Whitton was right to talk about Donald Dewar, the first ever First Minister, and the many speeches that he made on the importance of devolution to Scots. For our part, we believe in devolution for Scotland and in strengthening the settlement. I am sure that we will talk about that in the months to come.
As I said, we have differences about the future of Scotland, on issues such as local income tax or the Scottish Futures Trust. The Parliament exists so that we can have a robust exchange on such matters, but there is probably more that unites us than divides us when it comes to talking about Scotland's culture and history. Aileen Campbell rightly spoke about why we should encourage more Scots to holiday in Scotland rather than abroad, but if we are asking people to make that choice, a lot of work must be done to improve the standard of accommodation and so on throughout the country so that people will take that option not only because they believe in the future of Scotland, but because they believe that they will get a better holiday.
Given that Mr Mather is sitting on the front bench, it might be as well to remind him that we would like to see more training and modern apprenticeships in tourism and more investment in tourism. I hope that some workers who may face redundancy in other industries might be encouraged to consider tourism as a way forward, because it could be a growth industry for Scotland.
I know that the minister was listening to the intervention and I am sure that he will take on board the point that if we believe in promoting Scotland and in VisitScotland's role, there must be investment in the skills to make tourism a growth industry for Scotland.
I support David Whitton's earlier suggestion that we have an annual state of the nation speech. Why should it not come from Linda Fabiani on St Andrew's day?
May I give way to Ted Brocklebank?
No, you must finish.
On that note, we will support the Government motion and the Conservative amendment.
That was quite a note for Pauline McNeill to finish on—I thank her for that suggestion.
There has been some debate about whether it is appropriate to have a party-political debate about St Andrew's day, but, as a few members have said, as well as being a day of celebration it is a day to reflect on what it means to be Scottish and on how we see the future of Scotland. I reiterate that our national conversation on Scotland's constitutional future allows everyone to debate and discuss the kind of Scotland that we want and how best to achieve it. St Andrew's day is the perfect time to celebrate and reflect.
I will make two comments at the outset. First, Dennis Canavan is in the public gallery, despite being noted in absentia by Christine Grahame. We all acknowledge the role that he played in relation to St Andrew's day. [Applause.] I still acknowledge that role, because I can sense him looking over my shoulder to ensure that I do not do anything terribly wrong.
Secondly, I am glad that Pauline McNeill mentioned our great variety of music and culture, from our traditions to contemporary work. She also mentioned Scottish Opera. I am delighted to be going to see its latest production, "La Traviata", in Edinburgh's Festival theatre tonight. I suspect that other members are going to that, too.
The debate has been very good. We started with Ted Brocklebank congratulating the BBC on its new history series, which seems to be catching the popular imagination—I have heard many people speaking about it. That programme provides a really good backdrop to St Andrew's day and the BBC is to be congratulated on it.
Ted Brocklebank talked about how we link events such as the year of homecoming and winter festivals with tourism. I say to him and to others, including John Farquhar Munro, that the point is to link all that up. Members would be pleasantly surprised—although I would prefer them to know what is happening than to be surprised—if they logged on to the websites to see what is happening from St Andrew's day through to the winter white festival, which VisitScotland is running; the winter festivals; hogmanay and new year, which is a great festival for Scotland; and right through to Celtic Connections in Glasgow.
Throughout the country, events are happening—Inverness has also been mentioned. That will run through to Scotland week as part of the homecoming year. I have heard many times about Ted Brocklebank's aversion to bekilted politicians. The First Minister did not wear a kilt in this year's tartan day parade, but Iain Smith looked charming in his kilt and I thought that the Red Hot Chilli Pipers had good knees.
We are linking initiatives all the way through, because that is important. That ties in with the serious side—what the Government is already doing through its economic recovery programme, which Iain Smith mentioned. That is important, too. This year more than ever, we need to promote Scotland as a place to live, learn, work, do business and invest in and to visit. Yes—we can use St Andrew's day, the winter festivals and homecoming as part of the economic recovery programme. We are intensifying our activity and support for homecoming 2009 because tourism is such an important sector.
I tried to intervene on David Whitton and Pauline McNeill to make this point, but it relates to Scotland's economic performance, too. David Whitton said that Donald Dewar made a state of the nation address 10 years ago. I was a member of the St Andrews festival committee that invited him to do that. Our idea was that successive First Ministers would use the occasion to make a state of the nation address annually from St Andrews. Does that proposal commend itself to the minister and to the First Minister as a useful tradition on or close to St Andrew's day?
I am sure that our First Minister will be delighted to consider the potential of a state of the nation address on St Andrew's day every year. I am sure that the country would welcome that, too.
As for the St Andrews festival, Ted Brocklebank never misses a trick to promote St Andrews. Fife has a doughty breed of politicians, including Iain Smith and Tricia Marwick, who always push for St Andrews to be up front. They make a formidable front line for Fife.
I am happy to tell Ted Brocklebank that the St Andrews festival was paid on 21 November, but I take on board his point and I am happy to make the commitment to examine it. If the feeling is that funding agreements are made too late, we will look at that.
John Farquhar Munro asked how much funding has been earmarked for the winter festival. He also said that it was much less than that which we have put into the expo fund. When it comes to our culture and heritage and the promotion of our country, the important point is linking everything that we do. Nothing should be seen in isolation. What matters are the links between events that take place all through the year.
We have wonderful festivals, whether they are the St Andrew's day celebrations, the winter festival, Edinburgh's festivals—of which there are many, including the expo-funded work—the homecoming, Celtic Connections or T in the Park, which Pauline McNeill mentioned. All those festivals link into the whole that is the promotion of Scotland. We are doing all that to the best advantage of Scotland and to our best economic advantage.
I say to John Farquhar Munro that we expect to spend up to £434,000 on St Andrew's day and up to £200,000 on the winter festival. The Government is doing a lot. We have made the decision to use resources to drive increased tourism and add value to what is happening already.
I turn to Iain Smith's point on inviting bids for activities for the 2009 St Andrew's day at the end of the homecoming celebrations. A significant amount of funding has been awarded to event organisers, promoters and community groups for events throughout the duration of homecoming. We are continuing with that work.
Pauline McNeill said that St Andrew's day should not be only about fun. She is absolutely right. This is a time for reflection on how we can do our best for Scotland. We must use whatever platform we have to do that.
James Kelly's speech was interesting. At the outset, he made a good link between this morning's statement on science and this afternoon's debate on the St Andrew's day celebrations. Our engineering tradition is one of Scotland's wonderful traditions. That ties in closely with the homecoming theme of good Scottish minds and innovations and—indeed—Burns.
I disagree with the comments that James Kelly made on the arc of prosperity. We cannot continue to ignore the fact that a number of those countries continue to perform strongly and have a higher standard of living than Scotland has. For example, Finland and Norway continue to perform relatively strongly: their gross domestic product for 2009 is forecast to grow by 0.6 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively.
Will the minister take an intervention?
No, the member has just entered the chamber. He cannot just run into the chamber and expect to speak.
Members on the Opposition benches should accept the point that such small countries have a certain degree of insulation when it comes to dips in the economy. I refer them to my great friend Alex Neil's motion, in which he notes that the UK's credit rating has been severely downgraded. It is not always the case that big is beautiful.
John Farquhar Munro referred to the sites whose doors will be open free of charge as part of the St Andrew's day celebrations. Entry is free on 29 and 30 November to allow people to visit those places over the weekend. In that way, people can take part in Scotland's rich culture and heritage.
That leads me to points that were made about St Andrew's day as a public holiday. Leading by example, the Scottish Government has agreed to give its staff 1 December as an additional public holiday for St Andrew's day. I am delighted that 20 other public bodies and Scottish Borders Council have decided to follow our lead. Of course, I should mention again Angus Council, which has done that for many years.
Will the minister take an intervention on that point?
The minister must close.
Let us celebrate St Andrew's day, but let us also use it for serious reflection on how we all can work together to Scotland's advantage. That applies to everyone in the chamber, all those in council chambers, and everyone across the country. Again, I say to everyone: happy St Andrew's day.