SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit Press Release: 03/10/04
Scotland's cultural community have turned their back on the official opening of the new parliament building and are rallying to the alternative event on Calton Hill organised by a broad range of Scottish republicans and the Scottish Socialist Party. Writers Iain Banks, Alasdair Gray, Jim Kelman and Irvine Welsh have joined with actor and director Peter Mullan and other leading members of the arts community to back the `Declaration of Calton Hill' which will be signed in a public ceremony at the same time the Queen is opening the controversial new parliament building. The extent of the backing for the alternative event was shown when the singer Eddi Reader, who will be at the official opening, expressed a wish to attend the Calton Hill event, saying; "I am of the left… maybe I could sing at both events."
Although organised by the Scottish Socialist Party group in the Scottish Parliament, the Declaration of Calton Hill is a non-party political event and the declaration has been worded as a basic statement of the democratic right of Scotland to self determination.
Best selling author Iain Banks said; "I don't believe in going to anything that involves the royals; all that bowing and scraping just encourages the blighters. I'm a citizen of Scotland, thanks, and deeply resent the imposition of being termed a "subject" of anything or anybody. "As for the Declaration, it has my full support. I rarely read anything that long - especially originating from politicians - without wanting to disagree with or edit something, but frankly I don't think I'd change a word. Well said. Actually implementing it all will be the hard bit, obviously, but then nothing that worthwhile comes without a struggle."
Irvine Welsh wrote in support of the declaration; "'It's time we got it together and started doing things ourselves rather than blaming London or Brussels or even the current toytown parliament, which is set up for failure, every time things go wrong. "It's my view that until we gain the sort of political maturity that can only come from sovereignty, we'll keep on making daft mistakes like the Holyrood fiasco. It's time to be a nation once again.'
Alasdair Gray added; "We do not want an independent Scotland because we dislike the English, but because we want separation from that union of military, financial and monarchic establishments calling itself Great Britain!"
Expelled SNP MSP Campbell Martin is also backing the Declaration of Calton Hill, he said; "I think this is highly significant and it highlights the new reality of politics in Scotland – while the SNP are in Holyrood bending the knee to the British Queen, I will be out on Calton Hill celebrating a different vision of Scotland."
Scottish Socialist Party national convenor Tommy Sheridan explained why the SSP Group organised the event; "We have no wish to parade behind a feudal figurehead who symbolises elitism, privilege and deference. "The basic principles that Scottish republicans believe in can never be put into practise while Scotland remains subordinate to the hierarchical and anti-democratic institutions of the British State."
The Declaration of Calton Hill is a 450 word document that commits its signatories to campaigning for an Independent Scottish Republic "built on the principles of liberty, equality, diversity and solidarity".
The Declaration of Calton Hill event will run from 11am – 1pm on Saturday 9th October with a signing ceremony at 12 noon. The full wording of the Declaration of Calton Hill is available via the SSP website; http://www.scottishsocialistparty.org/
