Emma Harper MSP took part in the New Cumnock Burns Club St Andrew’s Day Debate yesterday (Sunday).
The south of Scotland MSP – and current Dumfries Ladies Burns Club’s President – took part in a lively debate at the Old School House in Dalleagles, near New Cumnock. Alongside speaker Lora Johnstone, Ms Harper successfully opposed a motion proposed by Willie Dick and Graeme White from New Cumnock Burns club which stated that “Scots Language is irrelevant in 2016”.
As a committed Burnsian, Ms Harper has championed Scots Language in the Scottish Parliament since her election in May.
She commented:
“New Cumnock burns club hosts this excellent event each, year. Different Burns clubs are invited to attend and participate in two debates. It is always such great fun, and this year was no exception.
“The debate I took part in was entitled ‘Scots language is irrelevant in 2016’ – a statement myself and Laura Johnstone were able to mount a heartfelt argument against on behalf of the Dumfries Ladies Burns Club!
“I was very pleased with the result as this is now the second year running the Ladies Burns club have won the debate they participated in.
“After our debate, I had fun listening to Bobby Kane of Fauldhouse and Crofthead Burns club, who is current president of the Robert Burns World Federation along with John Campbell – argue that ‘Robert Burns was a better poet than he was a song writer’. They were opposed by Jim Coutts and Jean Hillhouse and the vote was won by the opposers with a tight 2 point lead.
“There was much mirth and prattle throughout the evening and most importantly – it was an opportunity to celebrate our national bard. I look forward to more events like it in the lead up to Burns night 2017.”
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