MSP calls for public to choose national anthem

Published on 24/11/2004 12:17

SCOTLAND should have its own national anthem chosen by the public, MSPs were expected to hear today.

Green Party culture spokesman Chris Ballance was appearing before Holyrood’s Public Petitions Committee to call for a national song to celebrate Scotland.

The list MSP for South of Scotland will cite growing support for a fitting national anthem.

He said: "There is a tremendous value in having a song which exemplifies Scotland, both to ourselves and to the world.

"It helps forge a sense of identity, community and belonging among ourselves, and it could provide an extra way of identifying Scotland when selling her abroad.

"We have a national parliament, we have a flag, it is appropriate to have a national anthem."

Mr Ballance will be speaking in support of a petition brought forward by Edinburgh resident George Reid requesting Parliament legislate for the introduction of a national anthem for Scotland.

He will suggest the appropriate place for it to go will be the Enterprise Committee, which could launch a short inquiry with a view to conducting some sort of public selection process.

He said: "Personally I would prefer to see something in Scots, which surely means Burns.