Sunday Times article: Call for Saltire to be ditched

Sent this to the SSP.

Sir / Madam,

I write with reference to the following article which appeared in the Sunday Times.

I'm wanting to know if this is a joke, a tactic or whether you actually want the Saltire replaced?

Thanks in advance,

Kenny Sheerin.

http://kennysheerin.blogspot.com

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Call for Saltire to be ditched
Kathleen Nutt
The Sunday Times, January 22, 2006

POLITICIANS are being asked to ditch the Saltire as Scotland's
national flag because its "Christian symbolism" has little relevance
to large sections of the population.

A motion being presented to the Scottish parliament will ask MSPs to
approve a new "rainbow" flag that better reflects Scotland's cultural
and ethnic diversity.

Colin Fox, leader of the Scottish Socialist party, claims the Saltire,
which features the cross of St Andrew - Scotland's patron saint and
one of Christ's disciples - is a dated relic. He believes that
Scotland, as a secular country inhabited by people from many different
religions, should no longer have a Christian symbol as its national
emblem.

The Saltire, one of the oldest flags in the world, has been used since
832AD, when St Andrew is said to have appeared in a vision to Angus
MacFergus, the Pictish king, on the eve of the Battle of
Athelstaneford against the Northumbrians. The colours represent white
clouds in an azure sky.

Last year Jack McConnell, the first minister, ordered every public
building in Scotland to fly the Saltire, which remains a firm
favourite with fans at football and rugby internationals. However Fox
believes it is an "anachronism" and that it is time for it to go.

"Who was St Andrew? He was someone who never came here, so his
connection to Scotland is tenuous to say the least," he said. "I'd
like the Scotland of today to reflect the many different cultures
here. Scotland now has a considerable Asian population and a small and
important Chinese community, as well as Irish people. A flag that is
blue does not convey the impression of a multitude of backgrounds and
interests."

Fox said Scotland should consider adopting a flag similar to the
multicoloured emblem used by post-apartheid South Africa, dubbed the
rainbow nation.

His suggestion has the support of the Humanist Society of Scotland,
which said that after 1,000 years, it was time to consider a new flag.

"The relationship of St Andrew to Scotland is mythical," said Ron
McLaren, a spokesman for the society. "If we were going to redesign
the flag, I would like it to incorporate the symbol of Europe, to
indicate our wish to take a full part in its affairs."

Chris Ballance, the arts and culture spokesman for the Green party
said: "I think it would be interesting to have a debate on the
subject. Greens aren't interested in flag-waving nationalism but
Scotland has changed and is changing and, whether that is grounds for
having a new flag, should be up for debate."

The Saltire is regarded as a loyalist symbol in Protestant areas of
Northern Ireland. Three years ago it hit the headlines when the
Scottish parliament set the optimum colour of the flag - as Pantone
300, sky blue - after purists and manufacturers complained that the
shade varied widely.

The suggestion that it should be scrapped has provoked anger in some
quarters. "Colin Fox's proposal is absolute nonsense. The Saltire has
a long association with Scotland and is part of our history. It is the
most obvious symbol of Scotland," said Ian Scott, chairman of the
Saltire Society.

"I am appalled by any suggestion it should be downgraded or scrapped.
The idea that Scotland should pretend that it hasn't got a long
Christian heritage is ludicrous."

Bev Mayer, treasurer of the Perthshire branch of the Tartan Army,
said: "We have a real emotional attachment to the Saltire. It is the
internationally recognised symbol for Scotland and we're very proud of it.

Ayub Khan, chairman of the Multi-Faith Coalition, which represents
young Muslims, said he was proud to wear the Saltire. "Whenever I
change my car I stick the Saltire badge on the back. I also wear the
Saltire on my T-shirt when I go to Pakistan. "I have two identities,
my first is as a Muslim, and my second as a Scot. I'm proud of the
Saltire and don't think it should be changed."
# Bruce McFee, the Nationalist MSP, has called for the Union Jack to
be banned from public buildings north of the border. The list MSP for
the west of Scotland said the flag was associated with the suppression
of Scots and should not be on display. This week fellow Nationalist
Sandra White was forced to apologise after a press release issued in
her name described the flag as a "butcher's apron".

The battle of the flag

Historians believe the Saltire dates back to AD832 when a Pictish army
was fighting Northumbrian soldiers for control of part of eastern
Scotland.

The night before the battle King Angus MacFergus saw a vision of St
Andrew who promised him victory. Next day the soldiers saw a diagonal
cross in the sky above the battlefield, which encouraged the Picts and
Scots and frightened their enemy. A memorial to the "Battle of the
Saltire" stands in the village of Athelstaneford, East Lothian, today.

The Saltire became the national emblem of the Scots from that time.

The Saltire was also seen on the nation's first coins, introduced by
King David I in the 12th century.