Executive to study call for new anthem

THE campaign to find a new national anthem for Scotland took a significant step forward yesterday, when MSPs referred the matter to the Executive.

The decision by the Scottish Parliament’s public petitions committee follows a campaign by The Scotsman for a new anthem for the nation. Ministers will now decide how to take the issue forward.

During the committee meeting, MSPs’ suggestions for a new anthem ranged from a psalm to a modern composition.

However, campaigners said they were disappointed by a "lack of fire" from MSPs at the parliament to fight for a new national anthem.

George Reid, an Edinburgh pensioner responsible for the petition, said MSPs had shown little enthusiasm for a new song for Scotland. "I must say there was not the fire I had hoped for when I came here," he said.

He was speaking after the Labour MSP Jackie Baillie questioned whether it was the place of government to decide on a national anthem. Fellow Labour back-bencher Helen Eadie also queried whether it should be a priority for the Executive.

Michael McMahon, the committee’s convener, agreed to write to the Executive to find out their position on introducing a national anthem.