Comments on Scottish Unionist: Andy Murray: political tennis

Don't get me started on McConnell's numptiness in ...

2009-07-06T08:11:08.002+01:00

Don't get me started on McConnell's numptiness in that respect!

But the fact is that Andy Murray was misrepresented. Here is an account by Des Kelly, the Daily Mail journalist who conducted the original interview with Andy Murray:

"Some of the nonsensical criticism Britain's No 1 has received is laced with such misplaced venom and outrage that it makes me despair.

So, for the hard of thinking, let me state here that: I did the interview with Andy Murray and Tim Henman a couple of years back where Murray talked about 'supporting whoever England were playing against'.

It was a clearly a sarcastic remark. He was responding to teasing from your columnist about Scotland's absence from the 2006 World Cup and derisive laughter from the mischievous Henman.

It was reported in that context in this newspaper at the time and the exchange was run as a transcript.

A couple of days later a red-top got excited about the comments, lifted a couple of them into a 'story' that took on a life of its own and from there the truth was lost.

It is astonishing how this has run and run."

Trying to second guess what Murray thinks about Sc...

2009-07-06T01:19:10.582+01:00

Trying to second guess what Murray thinks about Scotland and GB normally leads to an inaccurate conclusion. It's not really the point. Whether you support him as a Brit or as a Scot, both can be proud of his effort and achievement.

What can be said without doubt is that his initial comment, about supporting any team that plays England, has certainly been remembered. A number of English voices (as reported by Annie McGuire on BBC Radio Scotland) were shouting for Andy's opponents during his matches. If I remember correctly, I believe Jack McConnell had a similar view on England's opponents.

Wardog: When your proven wrong, try to take it wit...

2009-07-05T17:13:52.161+01:00

Wardog: When your proven wrong, try to take it with good grace.

Wardog: Once again, you're a hair's breadth away f...

2009-07-05T12:00:52.493+01:00

Wardog: Once again, you're a hair's breadth away from just being banned. More important than any constitutional issues is that political debate in Scotland takes place in a civil manner.

Indy: I'm no expert, but I don't think that website is even counting votes. Is anyone able to confirm that?

You know you can vote - and bet - on it. The Andy...

2009-07-05T11:05:18.892+01:00

You know you can vote - and bet - on it.

The Andy Muray-o-meter.

http://www.andymurrayometer.com

Generally speaking the better he does the more British he gets and the worse he does the more Scottish he gets.

I thought Jonathan Ross put it quite well on his show - it was recorded before the outcome was known so he said if you win Andy all of Britain is behind you - if you lose, bad luck but I'm sure Scotland will forgive you.

PS: It's all in jest.

Joan McAlpine is an SNP supporter. It says nothin...

2009-07-05T09:00:44.107+01:00

Joan McAlpine is an SNP supporter.

It says nothing about Britishness but a great deal about her victim complex and unhealthy attitude towards the English.

Holland and the Netherlands aren't the same. Didn'...

2009-07-04T20:03:52.526+01:00

Holland and the Netherlands aren't the same. Didn't you realise!?

Wardog: I started replying to your post which sai...

2009-07-04T19:58:59.618+01:00

Wardog:

I started replying to your post which said that “Scottish Unionism is making Iran's ruling elite look like amateurs at this democracy game” and referred to “the uneasy violent atmosphere of uncompromising unionism”, but then changed my mind. Why should I bother? Deleted.

Wardog: So people sometimes confuse England with ...

2009-07-04T19:55:02.646+01:00

Wardog:

So people sometimes confuse England with Britain. People also confuse Holland with the Netherlands. Unfortunate. Irritating, perhaps. But hardly the end of the world! Get over it - unless you think Holland should secede?

Bully Wee Alba: You said: "the United Kingdom is ...

2009-07-04T19:52:13.680+01:00

Bully Wee Alba:

You said: "the United Kingdom is no more a “nation” than the European Union is a “nation” ... The clue is in the words “united” and “union”"

I’m sure the governments of the United States and United Arab Emirates would be delighted to know that you had unilaterally rescinded their nationhood on the basis of the unionist structures of their respective nations.

The reality is that nations arise when people self-identify in a national sense. If Scotland is a nation, so is Britain. Nationalism seeks to deny the validity of such nested identities, but they’re no less real for that!

SU, can you keep the pooch on a lead, preferably i...

2009-07-04T19:34:59.242+01:00

SU, can you keep the pooch on a lead, preferably in the highlands away from Wales, the separatists down here are getting ideas above their station.

Lets not forget those of us who, through blood and...

2009-07-04T14:47:02.682+01:00

Lets not forget those of us who, through blood and cricumstance can only really be described as "British" who will also be cheering on a fellow UK dweller.

Magnus is entitled to his view. However, the Uni...

2009-07-04T09:47:20.189+01:00

Magnus is entitled to his view.

However, the United Kingdom is no more a “nation” than the European Union is a “nation”.

The clue is in the words “united” and “union”.

I have no doubt that Andy Murray was grateful for the support from those from outwith his own country, and had he been representing the EU in this tournament, which by extension he was, he could have equally been pictured holding the EU flag aloft.

Neither you, nor I, can infer any sportsperson’s support or otherwise for any particular political and economic union by virtue of a publicity photo-shoot.

You would think that. Others differ. Here's Magnus...

2009-07-04T09:16:27.635+01:00

You would think that. Others differ. Here's Magnus Linklater in the Times:

“For all that the Nationalists are running the country, the Scots remain imperviously wedded to the notion of a united kingdom. They may not share the climactic emotion of the Centre Court, but they recognise a good bet when they see one. The balance they like is a nation with a voice of its own, but the security of a strong union behind it.

And so, when Murray steps on to the Centre Court today, he will be cheered on by Scots in the crowd who will be backing a British player, by English fans applauding a tennis player who happens to be Scottish, and by an entire nation that simply wants him to win. It’s not a bad recipe for success, on court or off.”