Why we should scrap Scotland's World Cup day off (or make it a whole week!)
The special World Cup bank holiday announced by the Scottish Government probably seemed like a good idea at the time
Given the general sense of euphoria after Scotland’s dramatic, amazing and really rather beautiful win over Denmark secured qualification for our first World Cup in far, far too long, John Swinney probably should be forgiven for getting a bit carried away.
His celebratory Bank Holiday on the Monday after Scotland’s first game against Haiti probably seemed like a good idea at the time. However, it’s increasingly looking like it will be observed by the Scottish Government and a handful of councils, but few other employers.
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After all, every day off is a blow to Scotland’s GDP and, with economic growth flatlining, how many of those do we really want to deliver? Even SNP politicians are voting against the idea.
It might be different if the whole nation was taking it, so they could watch the match, but that’s not what is happening. It could end up being more divisive than joyous.
That said, if Scotland were to actually win the World Cup, that would be a different thing entirely – a week off for an extended period of celebrations, parties and parades would be the least we’d expect.
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