FEARS have been expressed about a “frontal attack on culture” following the announcement of the new-look Scottish Cabinet.
The scrapping of the Culture, Europe and International Development brief, which was held by Kaukab Stewart, has raised concerns that the topics have been downgraded.
“Hopefully we are mistaken but this feels like a frontal attack on culture,” said Scots singer Iona Fyfe.
“The whole culture brief is now going to Angus Robertson but given the fact he has the constitution and external affairs as well, that is a big brief to go to one person.”
Fyfe (above) added that there was a question mark over the status of the Scots language within the new Government.
“Full responsibility for Gaelic has been given to Kate Forbes but no-one seems to be overseeing Scots,” said Fyfe.
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She hit out at a tweet from LBC radio’s Gina Davidson that suggested the role’s brief had been “problematic” for the opposition parties.
In her post, Davidson said: “Interesting decision of John Swinney to ditch the minister for independence and minister for culture, Europe and international development roles.
“Does it signal a shift away from issues that could prove problematic in his search for consensus with other parties?”
Fyfe said: “It’s a sad time if culture, Europe and international development is deemed to be problematic. I think it is only problematic to Unionists who are afraid of it. They are afraid of an intangible heritage and culture and language that is different.
“I understand that in a minority government, you have to send a message to opposition parties that you are willing to take some things on board but it is always culture that goes first.
“It’s a shame, especially when the whole wellbeing economy was spoken of so highly in the last administration. Culture is paramount to a wellbeing economy so these are concerning moves.
“There is maybe more to flesh out but so far it is not good.”
Steve Byrne, director of Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS), said it would be reassuring to hear incoming First Minister Swinney echo Angus Robertson’s recent commitment to increase the culture budget.
“I can understand the uncertainty at what appears to be the removal of the culture minister role,” said Byrne.
“While it’s something of an odd signal to send at this time of great concern for the arts, it’s worth remembering that the junior minister role has only been in place since 2020, albeit there have been four officeholders in that time, which has been unsettling.
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“Nonetheless, I hope that this heralds something of a return to the Fiona Hyslop era, our longest-serving and most visible culture secretary, in ensuring that the culture sector is closely engaged with as a key responsibility at Cabinet Secretary level.”
Byrne added: “While I was encouraged by Angus Robertson’s confirmation in the Edinburgh Evening News in recent days of existing commitments to increase the culture budget, it certainly would reassure many of us in the arts if the Government’s intentions were also clearly restated by the First Minister himself.”
He said it had been “very striking” to hear Swinney’s “thoughtful” inclusion of folk hero Hamish Henderson’s words in his acceptance speech this week, especially for those in the traditional arts.
“Henderson knew the power of culture to reflect who we are as a society,” said Byrne.
“I would hope that in the weeks and months to come we see clear evidence that the Government knows this too. After all, culture and the arts play a major role in supporting the government’s wider policy aims around inclusive, diverse and resilient communities.”
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