The Scots' Election "Shambles" 1

For the last 21 days I've been wondering whether or not to tell this story but now that the Scots' Elections are over I think it is safe to do so...I don't think this will affect the result now even if the line is picked up by the Scots' major media!

April 12th saw many of us in New York for the 9th Annual Tartan Day Parade - celebrating many things Scots' as we marched up 6th Avenue. Prior to the march those of us in the St Andrew's Society of New York State had brunch and were addressed by George Reid the Presiding Officer (at the time) of the Scottish Paliament. George gave a suitably non-partisan discourse on the achievement of the Scots. Party poltics slipped in right at the end when he stated that on election day on May 3rd there would be a sweeping change in Scottish politics. He was veiled enough to just about keep the mention of any party out of it and so not be accused of partisanship but it was clear to independence minded Americans he was supporting his party at that moment. He finished with a rousing:

"If the meek shall inherit the earth we shall have suffered our worst defeat since Bannockburn." There was thunderous applause from his American Scots audience.

Now I want to be clear - he definitely said exactly that and it was DEFINITELY "Bannockburn" that was refought to a different conclusion in his ending line. I wrote it down word for word I was so surprised.

So George - here is the question:

• Were you just tired and jet-lagged and made a mistake?
• Do you not actually know your Scottish History?
• From the twinkle in your eye - were you just jesting with your American Scots hosts and wondering who would notice?

Whatever - looks like Scots politics is headed the way of American - razor thin popular majorities, no party majorities, lots of compromise and no clear direction.

However - please - next time you speak to Americans who treasure their Scots ancestry - take the time to get it right. Their celebration may be a bit "Sir Harry Lauder" in approach, "Stylized Scots Kitsch" even - but it is deeply sincere.

If you were joking with them - please don't. They do far more in the background to promote Scotland and things Scots than you perhaps realize - even if their grasp of Scots' history is imperfect. You might have been bored with the whole affair but you didn't need to slip that one in.