Scottish National Party MP Alyn Smith believes Scotland has the potential to win Eurovision if the nation competed independently.
“Utter humiliation”
The Stirling MP has called for Scotland to be allowed to enter Eurovision. In conversation with The Times, he says it’s time to talk seriously about UK nations entering the contest separately.
“The UK hasn’t won Eurovision since 1997, with Love Shine A Light by Katrina and the Waves. And, frankly, it hasn’t deserved to either. Whilst the UK entry this year was in no way a bad performance, it was boringly bland and easily forgettable compared to all other acts, which is why it finished last place with nil points.
I think this year’s utter humiliation for the UK presents an excellent opportunity for all UK nations to enter the competition individually. For Scotland, that would give us a chance to showcase our rich culture and talent to the world.”
Alyn Smith on the UK’s recent results
Furthermore, Alyn goes on to say that the BBC don’t understand what the contest is all about.
“The problem is that all things Eurovision in the UK is managed by the BBC, which fundamentally doesn’t get what the competition is about. Even their system of choosing the UK entrant is a mess after dropping the public vote element in favour of a deal with a record label.”
Alyn Smith on the BBC’s management of their Eurovision entries
Not the first time Smith has urged for Scotland’s debut
As the above tweet shows, Alyn has been calling for Scotland to compete separately for some time. This does, in fact, go back as early as 2008. In addition, The Herald reported on Alyn’s efforts 10 years later. In the aforementioned article, he says he is “fed up with the way the BBC ‘does’ Eurovision – treating as a camp sideshow rather than a celebration of European pop culture like the rest of the continent”.
“It’s a little bit snide and grudging the way the BBC does it. This is a shop window and a stage on which we could shine whereas the way that the BBC does it still is ‘this is a bit of camp nonsense and it’s rubbish, and it’s great because it’s rubbish, and it’s great because it’s camp’.”
Smith in 2018
Scottish artists in Eurovision
The UK has been represented by Scottish talent throughout the years of their participation in Eurovision. Kenneth McKellar in 1966, Rikki Peebles in 1987 and Scott Fitzgerald the following year, who lost by 1 point to Celine Dion. However, the most successful Scot to date is Lulu, who won in a 4-way tie in 1969.
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