Cole-Hamilton: Scotland must use World Cup to raise national spirits

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today visited the Pear Tree in Edinburgh to pour pints and discuss his plans for using Scotland’s world cup success to boost the nation’s spirits.

Publicans including the chair of the Glasgow licensing forum, the boss of Edinburgh brewer Innis & Gunn and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association have backed his party’s plans for pubs to get special dispensation to show their matches in the event that they are scheduled for late at night.

The party is also calling for grassroots sports clubs to be allowed to get involved and for stadiums and parks to host huge screens to beam back the games from the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"I'd like to thank the Pear Tree for inviting me down to pour some pints and talk about our plans to make this a summer to remember.

"We’ve already had fantastic support from the pub trade for our proposals. They’re ready to leap into action to throw a celebration that balances enjoyment with public safety.

“It has been a tough few years for everyone in Scotland. We’ve had a pandemic, an energy crisis, Liz Truss sending mortgages soaring. Many public services don’t work as well as they used to.

“Next summer we can turn a corner. Picture this: packed out pubs, parks and local sports clubs. A nation cheering together. A welcome boost for our hospitality industry and the Scottish economy.

“We want to see pubs given special late-night licenses to air Scotland’s games if it turns out that the time difference means they happen overnight. Your local grassroots rugby or tennis club should be allowed to open up too because I'm sure their members would pack them out, even at 2am. And for games earlier in the day, lets get massive screens in parks and stadiums big and small.

“We must not let this moment drift by. That’s why Scottish Liberal Democrats are determined to see Scotland throw a real party and raise our national spirits."