Thousands write to support Christmas and New Year Bill
Public
support for the Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Bill
is very strong, says Falkirk East MSP Cathy Peattie: "At the moment,
every week brings a few dozen more cards, letters and emails from constituents,
and other MSPs are getting a similar response."
Cathy is supporting the Bill and spoke in favour of it at the stage 1 debate.
"The arguments against the bill are short-sighted," she said. "People have only so much money to spend and if they have not spent it all in the January sales - which of course start on Boxing day - I am sure that they will manage to do so even if the shops stay shut on New Year's day. People simply do not want to shop on Christmas day and New Year's day. We need only remember the seasonal siege mentality that leads to the average household to buy enough food and drink to survive a fortnight snowed in by blizzards.
"However, if one big store opens, it puts pressure on other stores to open, on workers to work and – yes - on consumers to consume. To the big stores that want to open, I say, 'Give it a rest.'
"As for tourists, does anyone honestly think that people come to Scotland for our January sales? People come to Scotland to experience our culture, and especially so at Hogmanay. Our celebrations are famous throughout the world. We have given the world a theme song in "Auld Lang Syne", and we have given many a wee dram to go with it. At New Year, our hotels are full of people who want to experience the true Scottish Hogmanay. We have spectacular events such as street parties and torch-lit processions. And it is not just about a guid-willie waught, although for some folk being fou and unco happy is essential. Hogmanay is about our full tradition.
"Throughout Scotland, Christmas and New Year are a part of our culture and a time for family and friends to come together. They are not a time to shop. I urge members to make Santa's visit to the gallery worthwhile and to support the bill."