Political furore over flags

Scotland's saltire

Image: Oliver Proctor

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There has been considerable uproar after the SNP-led Scottish Government sent out over 2,500 saltire flags to universities and schools across the country in a bid to boost the celebration of St Andrew's Day, celebrated on 30 November.

The packs contained a saltire flag and instructions on how to hold a St Andrew's Day celebration, including suggestions of ceilidhs and competitions.

Linda Fabiani, Scottish Culture Minister, said that she had wanted to make St Andrew's Day a more important occasion. However numerous parties have accused the SNP of launching a propaganda campaign funded by the tax-payer.

In a letter to Josh MacAlister, President of Edinburgh University Student Association, George Reid, the head of Further Education Strategy, asked to be made aware of any celebrations taking place, to "allow us to fully reflect the contribution of Scotland's colleges, universities and importantly students [sic] associations to the celebration of St Andrew's Day."

Mr MacAlister believes the packs to be a waste of time, backing Labour's attack on the packs as SNP propaganda. He told The Journal: "Sending out propaganda to education institutions? I'm not sure it's the best use of money."

He added: "If the Westminster government sent union flags to every school, college and university in Scotland, would the SNP support it? Most students know that any national identity is about a lot more than a piece of cloth."

Along with the saltire and letter came a pamphlet that, according to Mr Reid "promotes our distinctive national identity."

The pamphlet, This Is Scotland contains snippets that read: "This is pop: after Happy Birthday, Auld Lang Syne is the world's best-known song. In Japan auld Lang Syne is sung by youngsters when they leave school."

It also claims that Edinburgh is one of the "five most talked-about cities in the world."

Critics of the pack have called into question whether the money spent on the packs would not have been more beneficially directed elsewhere. Mr MacAlister said: "The general point here is whether sending out flags is the best use of civil servant time and public money."

He believes that the money should have been spent on further education and relieving student debt.

Ms Fabiani stipulated that the SNP has already made significant moves to combat students' financial problems.

With regards to the packs, she told the BBC simply: "We want to make it a big celebration. Plenty of ciountries celebrate their national day."

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