NUS Scotland are campaigning for the founder of the Stagecoach company to have his knighthood withdrawn after his attempts to repeal anti-homophobic legislation.
NUS Scotland have launched a campaign calling for the founder of the Stagecoach company to have his knighthood withdrawn.
Over the weekend it was announced that Brian Souter, a high profile financial supporter of the SNP had been awarded the knighthood, as part of the Queen’s birthday honours, for services to transport.
However campaigners have voiced concerns at the move, arguing that Souter’s bank rolling of the Keep the Clause campaign, to repeal legislation in Scotland forbidding local authorities to “intentionally promote homosexuality”, (known as Section 2A in Scotland and section 28 across the rest of the UK), proves an intolerance that should not be rewarded in this way.
Speaking in 2000, Peter Tatchell said of Souter:
“Brian Souter’s support for Section 28 is the moral equivalent of the business-funded campaign to maintain racial segregation in the Deep South of the USA in the 1950s.”
Souter went on to organise a postal ballot of all those Scots registered to vote from 1999, which, on the basis of a return rate of 31.8%, produced results seeing 86.8% of respondents preferring to keep section 2A with 13.2% against its continuation.
While Souter dubbed it a “tremendous result”, the then communities minister, Wendy Alexander, said of the result:
“I think what is significant about today’s ballot is that two out of three voters rejected, or binned or simply ignored this glorified opinion poll.”
And writing in the Herald during the campaign on the poll, one mother said of Souter’s campaign:
“I am the mother of two young children, not yet at school age, and I am appalled by the advertising and publicity thrown in my face telling me to ”Keep the Clause”. I will be doing my best to bring my children up to be secure in the knowledge that whatever they choose to do, respectful of others, my husband and I will always love them and encourage them.
“If my children grow up and are gay nothing will change that. This is the start of a new millennium – show me the normal house now? Nuclear family? I don’t think so. Do the pro-Clause campaigners think they can buy their own agenda into the curriculum? I would prefer that their bigotry did not reach my children, but unfortunately I know that’s not possible. Having the cash to fund a campaign helps to disguise their narrow-minded, outdated agenda.
“Anyone who encourages an atmosphere where a child may feel threatened, isolated, or lonely should be condemned. I am all for healthy debate and differences of opinion; freedom of speech in a democratic society, equal rights for all. So let them campaign. But please don’t let them get away with it.
“As for the Clause – it’s not about promoting anything, but it’s about living together and not judging other people – a valuable lesson for young children in a fast-changing society.”
Asked on an edition of Question Time in May 2000 about weather wealthy individuals should be allowed to fund referendum in the way Souter had on section 2A, Souter responded:
“Guilty as charged. The Labour Party would not be able to function without the substantial contribution it gets from trade unions and from wealthy individuals. The Tory Party functions with the contributions that its members make to it. There’s absolutely no difference between that and what I’m doing here except I am not obtaining a knighthood in return for it – that’s the difference, there’s nothing coming back on the turn.”
The Liberal Democrat/Labour administration in Edinburgh at the time subsequently went on to repeal section 2A.
Having been given the knighthood Souter said he was not obtaining, the NUS in Scotland has launched a petition seeking to have his knighthood withdrawn, with the petition reading:
“Mr Souter ran a campaign of fear and misinformation which was deeply hurtful to the LGBT community in Scotland.
“The ‘Keep The Clause Campaign’ increased hatred towards an already victimised group and saw a corresponding increase in violence against LGBT people.
“We believe that it is wrong for such a person to be given such a high honour by Her Majesty The Queen and call on HM government to withdraw this award.”
The Scottish Sun has reported that Souter has refused to comment on the matter.
42 Responses to “Should Brian Souter have his knighthood removed?”
13eastie
Joe – I think you’re getting into a bit of a muddle trying to conflate the Catholic / gay issues.
I think you might find a Catholic monarch to be a tad less tolerant of homosexuals than the current Royal Family or the vast majority of C. of E. parishioners or clergy – something you’d learn quickly if, instead of adopting your straw-man modus operandi, you attended a few services.
Too many adjectives; too little evidence.
Selohesra
Edward – I agree that homophobia is unacceptable however Souter is not promoting homophobia – he was just asking that local aithorities did not promote homosexuality. My sexuality has nothing to do with local authority and nor should anyones elses. Whether he is entitled to his knighthood for whatever else he has done in his life may be a valid question but to penalise him because he takes a different view to you on this issue is simply spiteful
joe kane
#15
Thanks for not openly insulting me this time when you had the chance. It’s very self-disciplined and civilised of you.
Just to repeat, the British monarchy is the head of the Church of England which is the established church of the British state and which is plagued with rabid homophobes.
The British monarchy also practices anti-Catholic bigotry as a matter of official policy.
I don’t agree with either of these two practices.
If you wish to continue endlessly apologising and supporting this bigoted racist institition that is your affair – I am merely pointing out the beahviour of British hypocrites who support this homophobic anti-Catholic institution whilst, at the same time, critcising others for such bigotry and who also critice those of us for merely pointing out such hypocrisy.
#11
The tory rodent with its usual dollop of racist zionist islamophobic hate.
Nothing much more needs to be said. Self-explanatory.
Anon E Mouse
joe kane – You are disagreeing with things you have made up. Well done. Not that your oddball views haven’t been expressed frequently – especially with your anti-semitic rants and it seems quasi support of North Korea.
You said:: “Kim Jong-Il is an ally of the mad hatters of the Republican Chocolate Tea Party!
Whatever credibility North Korea still had left, in the eyes of the rest of the international community, has been completely undermined.”
So you thought that prior to Sarah Palin North Korea had some credibility left?
Perhaps you should go and live in North Korea joe kane.. to be helpful I’ve linked to a travel agent for you… http://www.koryogroup.com/travel_groupTours.php
Have a nice trip joe kane. No royal family out there plus with your socialist leanings you’ll feel right at home…
joe kane
#18
The tory rodent is against homophobia, but just as long as they aren’t gay Palestinians or gay Iraqis – because then it’s ok for violent zionist racist Apartheid Israel, andthe tory rodent’s pals in the Tory Party to carry out unspeakable war crimes against them.
Keep up the great work of anonymous uncivilised abuse, lies and ad hominum arguments on an unmoderated blog – your complete lack of self-discipline, and respect for others and for rational argument just proves how morally, intellectually and democratically bankrupt the Tories and their supporters are.