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Ex-First Minister attacks Government on sectarianism |
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Monday, 28 January 2008 |
Former First Minister Jack McConnell has attacked the SNP Government's approach to tackling sectarianism and warned that it risks losing momentum in the fight against religious bigotry.
McConnell made confronting sectarian attitudes a key plank of his
administration and oversaw the introduction of ‘hate crime’ laws for
religiously-motivated crimes and a programme of action involving
churches, football clubs and community groups to reduce sectarian
incidents at flashpoints like football matches and marches and parades.
But McConnell says the Government approach of splitting sectarian policy under a number of portfolios is wrong.
"The new Government has made a mistake in basically subsuming work on
sectarianism within activities by other organisations and departments.
I think that was a sign that they were de-prioritising the importance
of this work," he said.
McConnell said the importance of the issue and the scale of the
challenge involved meant sectarianism needed to be dealt with "as a
particular dedicated activity".
"Unless the legal framework is there, unless there is willingness and
co-operation with the sporting clubs and faith organisations and the
local authorities and police when it comes to marches and parades, then
the education work is happening in a vacuum away from the hard edge of
violent language and attitudes.
"I always took the view that effort would be required for a generation,
at least. I hold the belief that the number of people holding these
attitudes and being willing to act on these attitudes is falling yearly.
"As society moves on and as society and government make clear these
attitudes are unacceptable, then young people will resist the attitudes
of older people in their family. But if the foot is taken off the
pedal, it is not impossible that momentum could be lost," he said.
McConnell’s concern about the sectarian agenda losing momentum is echoed by campaign group Nil By Mouth.
"McConnell started an initiative for the Government to build on and Nil
By Mouth welcomes any fresh action and momentum, given that many of the
recommendations of the original plan have been completed now. There is
a real need for fresh action on the effects sectarianism can have in
education, on crime and other areas," said a spokesman.
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said: "This Scottish
Government takes all forms of sectarianism and religious intolerance
seriously. That’s why we are working on a range of fronts - through
education, sport, with faith communities - and with a range of partners
to rid Scotland of discrimination. I believe that by working together,
we can become the nation of equal opportunities for all that we aspire
to be and make sure discrimination on religious grounds is a thing of
the past in Scotland."
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Last Updated ( Monday, 28 January 2008 )
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Holyrood magazine 
