This post has been de-listed
It is no longer included in search results and normal feeds (front page, hot posts, subreddit posts, etc). It remains visible only via the author's post history.
At the square in front of the People's Palace in Glasgow Green, around Doulton Fountain (the largest terracotta statue in the world), there is a small podium, with an SNP yellow banner on both sides. Tòiseach and Leader of the SNP /u/model-avtron walks up onto the stage, and begins to speak.
"Good morning! It's a bit dreich today, so I think I'll just cut to the chase.
The People's Palace, just behind us, is an egalitarian project like nearly no other. Built in the 19th century to allow people living in the East End, then one of the most deprived areas, to access culture previously reserved for but the richest in society. "Open to the people for ever and ever," is how former Prime Minister the Lord Rosebury described it. In fact, an employee of the People's Palace, one Mrs Smudge, became famous after being the first of her kind, a cat, to join the GMB union.
Today, this magnificent building is a museum covering how Glaswegians, especially working-class Glaswegians, have lived for centuries. Only here could you watch a film with Jimmy Reid, atop John MacLean's desk. Whilst many cities essentially gentrify working-class history to make it more "palatable", we have a great museum in a post-industrial area. Glaswegians should be extremely proud of this.
Yet, there is also a real shame just beside us. The Winter Gardens. A glasshouse, with rare plantlife housed within it, which has potential to rival those in the West End, Inverleith, and even in London. Yet, it sits in ruins today. This is a disgrace. What could be a beautiful bit of nature to serve the people of Calton and the surrounding area is simply a dump, and has been for the past five years.
Of course, it didn't always used to be like this. The Winter Gardens used to be a thriving (horti)cultural venue. But years of mismanagement, at every level, as well as chronic underfunding, caused it to end up this way.
Natural and cultural sites across the country are all too often like this. If we want people to live a good life, they should have access to these places. I am drawn to the words of William E. Aytoun, in this matter:
Give me but one hour of Scotland, let me see it ere I die.
The fact that all too many Scots, especially but not exclusively in cities, cannot see our bonnie nation's beauty, is nothing short of a massive shame.
Another SNP budget will double the Historical and Cultural Site Restoration and Maintenance Fund, transforming it into a simple Historical and Cultural Fund, and create a new Nature Fund, worth another ÂŁ15 million per year on top of that. We will use part of this combined funding to restore the Winter Gardens to its former glory.
Another SNP government will, also, convert the insanely massive car park at the Scottish Government offices in Leith, at Victoria Quay, into a public park for local residents. This will bring us closer to our Net Zero targets, benefitting the entirety of Scotland.
Another facet of culture we must value is our Scottish languages.
A bill of mine, the Gaelic Broadcasting Bill, is currently making its way through Westminster. Sponsored by the Scottish Government, it is a major accomplishment for GĂ idhlig broadcasting. Currently, we have two main GĂ idhlig media services: BBC Alba, and BBC Radio nan GĂ idheal. Both are great â I grew up on the two of them! â but GĂ idhlig broadcasting only makes up a small proportion of what the BBC is responsible for. A new body, controlled by the Scottish Government directly, not the Westminster Government, is exactly what GĂ idheals need. With these powers, an SNP Scottish Government will investigate establishing a second TV channel run by Rèidio-Alba, TBh Alba DhĂ , more focused on youth-oriented programming, ensuring that a new generation of GĂ idhlig speakers have content that appeals to them.
Thank you, all!"
After the event, the Tòiseach engages with the press a little, before visiting, along with local SNP candidate for Clydeside /u/zakian3000 the International Workers Memorial also in the Green.
Subreddit
Post Details
- Posted
- 10 months ago
- Reddit URL
- View post on reddit.com
- External URL
- reddit.com/r/MHoCCampaig...