THE front cover of Saturday’s National could be construed as good-natured banter by some people but as highly dubious and a tad offensive by others.
To adopt an “anybody but England” theme for the front cover of the only newspaper in Scotland that supports independence is a risky strategy and may well alienate undecided voters who believe that references to Braveheart and anti-English sentiments are not in particularly good taste and may appear insular, puerile and somewhat petulant.
As a firm advocate of Scottish independence I can still appreciate the transparent differences between the English football team and the iniquity of the Westminster government. The manager, Gareth Southgate, is an example of a dignified and empathetic leader who speaks of his commitment to an inclusive and diverse England.
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Before the tournament began, Mr Southgate – well known for his anti-Brexit views – expressed the opinion that he sincerely hoped success in the Euros for his country would help England become a more understanding and equal society based on social justice, an obvious counterpoint to how the Conservative UK Government is seen by many people.
In pre-tournament matches that witnessed the widespread jeering of the England team by their own supporters for taking the knee, their manager was emphatic that they would continue to show their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter organisation in contrast with the Prime Minister and his Home Secretary, who showed tacit support for the those abusing the players by refusing to condemn their appalling behaviour.
England players like Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling have, very publicly, placed anti-racism and social equality at the forefront of their public image, particularly Mr Rashford in his campaign against the government to secure free school meals for the poorest children in England. Captain Harry Kane and Jordan Henderson have both openly backed LGBT issues, both before and during their current Euros campaign.
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Boris Johnson and his amoral and xenophobic acolytes may well try to hijack the England football team’s successes for political gain but it is clear that the manager and players reject the “little Englander”, exceptionalist and right-wing dogma that Johnson and his government represent.
Should England triumph I, in common with most Scots, will dread the crowing of the pundits, the baying of the English press and the possibility that the malevolent buffoon in Downing Street will somehow take the credit for it. However, this is the finest English football team for a generation and they will deserve all the plaudits they receive for their undoubted abilities both on and off the park.
Owen Kelly
Stirling
YOUR Saturday front cover represents a descent into petty, inter-tribal hatred, every bit as vile as the Union Jack-waving scenes of triumphalism we have endured and seem likely to endure until we gain genuine independence. By genuine independence I mean that state of mind where we stand free from our past and look with courage and clarity towards the huge task of building our future. A state of being where the horizons of our inner landscape are no longer inhabited by points of animosity and blame.
One of the main points of passionate disagreement I have with my southern neighbours is their obsession with World War Two. On the morning of the match against Germany, an early morning BBC newscaster was heard to refer to Germany as “the enemy”. The phrase she had no access to was “the opposition”. Get over it, England!
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The reference to the Braveheart mentality is embarrassing and mean-spirited. Get over it, Scotland!
Letter writers to The National have to give their names. Fine by me! I’m Lewis Waugh and I live in Portobello. Voted Yes in 1979, Yes-Yes in 1997 and Yes in 2014. My life and that of my family has been well screwed up by Brexit, by the worst aspects of nationalism and by the assault on our democratic institutions. You have my email. Feel free to send me an apology and contrition for your trite graphics.
Lewis Waugh
via email
I WAS very disappointed to see the front-page splash on the Saturday edition of The National. As an Englishman living in Scotland for four years now, I have hardly ever – once only – experienced any personal animosity ... that is, until the start of this tournament.
The anti-English sentiment that you have represented is unnecessary and hurtful. I am reminded of the goading of Norman Tebbit and his fellow Tories, asking the Asian and West Indian communities what cricket team they would be supporting, as if it were important to their contribution to the country and its culture.
If independence is to mean anything it must be to set up a place where we are one people, one country, regardless where we were born. Independence should not be a reason to divide our country, but to unite it. The kind of tribalism and religious intolerance that seems to follow team sports, especially football, has no place in a modern society.
Why can’t the Scots support the English team when the Scottish are not involved? After all, if England win the tournament, which I hope they do, Scotland will be the only team in the tournament who they played and didn’t beat.
Pete Rowberry
Duns
CONGRATULATIONS to The National on being featured on the Andy Marr jingo show. Will we see other English nationalist talking heids, such as the Jeremy Whine Show, include Scotch papers on their “Wot the Papers Say” round-ups?
Donald Anderson
Glasgow
AS a subscriber and SNP member, I’d just like to inform you that I was frankly embarrassed by your front page on Saturday. On the road to independence, can we please try to stay classy guys? Please?
David Ferrier
via email
I CAN’T describe how disappointed I am to see that front page. I had hoped that The National would be a beacon to the world of a modern, forward-looking country. Instead it suggests a mean-spirited, envious, chip-on-the-shoulder nation which appears to be defined by a battle 800 years ago.
What does that front page say to the thousands of English people who live in and love Scotland, many of whom support independence? It absolutely shouts anti-Englishness.
And don’t tell me it was tongue-in-cheek or intended to be humorous, it’s clearly neither. A front-page apology would be appropriate.
Sandy Slater
Stirling
AS a supporter of independence and a National subscriber I was saddened by your front page on Saturday (SAVE US ROBERTO, YOU’RE OUR FINAL HOPE ... we can’t take another 55 years of them banging on about this). Independence supporters are often accused of being anti-English/England. Guess how that front page is being interpreted by opponents of independence.
I suspect that the "them" being referred to is the media – I lived in England for almost 40 years and most England football fans do not keep banging on about it – but that’s not how it is being portrayed.
The National does not have a large circulation so most people’s opinion of it is formed from what they see on the front page on the stands in the shops or what is said on social media. After Saturday, many people will assume it’s anti-English. Some editorial reflection is perhaps called for.
Douglas Morton
Lanark
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