GLASGOW is to launch a bid to host the Eurovision song contest next year if Ukraine is unable due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
SNP council leader Susan Aitken revealed officials had started “informal” and “hypothetical” talks about the Scottish city playing host to the event at a full council meeting today.
Green councillor Leodhas Massie lodged a motion calling for Glasgow to step forward as a host, highlighting the city’s experience at holding events including COP26 and the Commonwealth Games.
Pointing out the idea has cross party support, Cllr Massie said: “It is our wish that Ukraine is in the position to hold the competition next May.”
READ MORE: Glasgow City Council considers bringing in four-day week for workers
But he called for conversations to take place with Government ministers about the possibility of Scotland’s largest city hosting the event if Ukraine cannot.
The motion, which was seconded by Green Councillor Anthony Carroll, pointed out the European Broadcasting Union has announced talks with the BBC about holding the Eurovision in second place UK due to the ongoing war.
The Green motion also congratulated Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra for their “emphatic win” at last month’s Eurovision.
Councillor Aitken said “Glasgow is extremely well placed and should clearly be the frontrunner in the UK. However Ukraine does still seek to host the Eurovision song contest if they are able and I think they need to be given the time and space to explore that as much as possible.”
Councillor Aitken said in an accepted amendment: “Council understands that although early discussions have taken place about the possibility of Glasgow acting as host or co-host of the 2023 contest should a replacement city be necessary, these must remain hypothetical and high level until such a time as it may be confirmed that Ukraine is not in a position to host. If that is confirmed and the UK government seeks expressions of interest from potential hosts, council instructs the chief executive to submit on Glasgow’s behalf.”
READ MORE: Glasgow tops odds to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023 as Ukraine ruled out
Labour Councillor Patricia Ferguson said: “The Labour group stands wholeheartedly behind the intention of this motion and the amendment.”
Councillor Ferguson added: “We look forward to working on a cross party basis with others in the council to make this happen.”
Describing himself as a “lifelong fan” of Eurovision, Conservative councillor John Daly said: “It is a wonderful privilege for the city of Glasgow to step up to support the people of Ukraine by hosting the Eurovision song contest.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel