Stirling’s SNP MP has called for Scotland to enter its own act to represent the nation at the Eurovision song contest.
Alyn Smith described the UK’s “nil points” performance in Saturday’s contest an “utter humiliation” and says that he’d like to see each of the UK nations put forward their own acts in future editions of the popular event.
Eurovision Song Contest 2021 final – the 65th edition of the event – took place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Saturday, May 22.
The contest title was claimed by Italian entry, Måneskin.
However, UK entrant, James Newman, failed to win a single point.
Mr Smith, a former Member of the European Parliament for Scotland, says that the time has come for Scotland to put forward its own act to “showcase our rich culture and talent”.
He took to Twitter following this year’s result to say: ‘Let’s let a country who’ll do #Eurovision properly do it and show how it’s done.’
Speaking to the Stirling Observer this week, Mr Smith said: “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.
“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.
“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.”
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP, Dean Lockhart, took aim at Mr Smith, saying: “Is this really what people expect their MP to be spending his time on? Mr Smith is in a well-paid, important job, during an unprecedented social and economic crisis and should be devoting every energy to supporting his constituents rather than wasting his time and theirs.”
Addressing Mr Smith's comments, a BBC Spokesperson said: “Any announcements about Eurovision 2022 will be made in due course.”
The UK has claimed the Eurovision crown on five occasions – 1967 (Sandie Shaw – “Puppet on a String”), 1969 (Lulu – “Boom Bang-a-Bang”), 1976 (Brotherhood of Man – “Save Your Kisses for Me”), 1981 (Bucks Fizz – “Making Your Mind Up”), and 1997 (Katrina and the Waves – “Love Shine a Light”).
The 2020 edition of the show was scrapped due to Covid-19.
