Post by Teddy Bear on Apr 24, 2009 19:46:36 GMT
One can say that the BBC is not responsible for the comments of a historian on Question Time insulting the 'nationalistic identity' of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales as feeble. However this is not the first time that this historian has made his views on the subject known, and with a question regarding St. Georges Day bound to be in the reckoning, it was no coincidence that he was invited. To add to the mix and make sure his comments would arouse negative emotions , Russell Brown, Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway was also invited.
So rather than instill pride and patriotism in the public, derision and insults are preferred by the BBC.
So rather than instill pride and patriotism in the public, derision and insults are preferred by the BBC.
Dozens complain to BBC after historian brands Scotland, Wales and Ireland 'feeble little countries'
Historian Dr David Starkey was under pressure to apologise today after branding Scotland, Wales and Ireland 'feeble little countries'.
Dr Starkey also branded Scotland's national poet Robert Burns 'deeply boring' and lashed out at the 'awful' bagpipes.
The comments, which he made last night on the BBC's Question Time programme, provoked angry protests from politicians north of the border.
Russell Brown, Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway, where Burns lived for many years and is buried, today demanded the historian say sorry.
He urged: 'Dr Starkey should apologise to Scotland, and I would welcome him to my constituency any time to see that most Scots are proud of what they do and where they live.'
Dr Starkey's remarks came when he was asked whether St George's Day, April 23, should be an English national holiday. St George is the patron saint of England.
He responded: 'If we decide to go down this route of an English national day it will mean we have become a feeble little country, just like the Scots and the Welsh and the Irish.'
He went on: 'We do not make a great fact about Shakespeare, like the Scots do about that deeply boring, provincial poet Burns and we do not have national music like the awful bagpipe.
'What the Scots and the Welsh are typical small nations with a romantic 19th century-style nationalism.'
The historian, who is well-known for television shows including Monarchy and appearances on BBC Radio 4's The Moral Maze, said he had nothing to add when contacted today.
Mr Brown branded Dr Starkey's remarks 'silly' and said he did not understand modern life across the UK.
'This is a silly remark that many people will find offensive,' the MP said.
'Dr Starkey's apparent willingness to write off the entire nation of Scotland as 'feeble' shows that a knowledge of history doesn't make you understand the reality of modern life in different parts of the UK.'
He went on: 'A love of your country doesn't make you a romantic nationalist, it just makes you proud. Dr Starkey seems to have forgotten that.
'Scots don't spend their days walking around in kilts playing the bagpipes and reciting Tam O'Shanter, but that doesn't make us any less proud of that part of our history and culture.'
Brian Donohoe, Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, near where Burns was born, added: 'The idea that Burns is a provincial poet is entirely wrong - the millions of people who celebrate his work, ideas and memory in Burns Nights every year across the globe are ample evidence that Dr Starkey is wrong.'
Historian Dr David Starkey was under pressure to apologise today after branding Scotland, Wales and Ireland 'feeble little countries'.
Dr Starkey also branded Scotland's national poet Robert Burns 'deeply boring' and lashed out at the 'awful' bagpipes.
The comments, which he made last night on the BBC's Question Time programme, provoked angry protests from politicians north of the border.
Russell Brown, Labour MP for Dumfries and Galloway, where Burns lived for many years and is buried, today demanded the historian say sorry.
He urged: 'Dr Starkey should apologise to Scotland, and I would welcome him to my constituency any time to see that most Scots are proud of what they do and where they live.'
Dr Starkey's remarks came when he was asked whether St George's Day, April 23, should be an English national holiday. St George is the patron saint of England.
He responded: 'If we decide to go down this route of an English national day it will mean we have become a feeble little country, just like the Scots and the Welsh and the Irish.'
He went on: 'We do not make a great fact about Shakespeare, like the Scots do about that deeply boring, provincial poet Burns and we do not have national music like the awful bagpipe.
'What the Scots and the Welsh are typical small nations with a romantic 19th century-style nationalism.'
The historian, who is well-known for television shows including Monarchy and appearances on BBC Radio 4's The Moral Maze, said he had nothing to add when contacted today.
Mr Brown branded Dr Starkey's remarks 'silly' and said he did not understand modern life across the UK.
'This is a silly remark that many people will find offensive,' the MP said.
'Dr Starkey's apparent willingness to write off the entire nation of Scotland as 'feeble' shows that a knowledge of history doesn't make you understand the reality of modern life in different parts of the UK.'
He went on: 'A love of your country doesn't make you a romantic nationalist, it just makes you proud. Dr Starkey seems to have forgotten that.
'Scots don't spend their days walking around in kilts playing the bagpipes and reciting Tam O'Shanter, but that doesn't make us any less proud of that part of our history and culture.'
Brian Donohoe, Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, near where Burns was born, added: 'The idea that Burns is a provincial poet is entirely wrong - the millions of people who celebrate his work, ideas and memory in Burns Nights every year across the globe are ample evidence that Dr Starkey is wrong.'