UNITED KINGDOM – After decades of Britain’s nul points and national ignominy, calls are growing for Scotland’s voice to finally be heard in Europe.
James Newman, the latest British entrant, finished last with no points at this year’s event in Rotterdam on Saturday.
The UK has had years of dismal scores despite putting up big-name contenders, including Engelbert Humperdinck in 2012 and Bonnie Tyler the next year.
Now Alyn Smith, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, believes the time is right to “talk seriously about entering UK nations separately into the contest”.
“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 in the 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 […] 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.”
🏴Following what Alyn Smith, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman said, do you want Scotland to compete independently?#oikotimes #eurovision #openup #jesc #sanremo2021 #festivaldacanção #icardeurovisionbg #nrkmgp #melfest #songvakeppnin #eurovisiongr #umk21 #euroviisut
— OIKOTIMES (@theoikotimes) May 25, 2021
