'Scotland's Future' and 2014
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‘Scotland’s Future’ and 2014 - political narratives of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the independence referendum by Stuart Whigham Doctoral Thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Loughborough University January 2017 © Stuart Whigham (2017) Abstract This thesis critically examines the predominant narratives which emanated from political discourse in relation to two significant events in Scotland in 2014 – the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the independence referendum. In particular, the thesis scrutinises the extent to which the staging of the Games in Scotland was exploited politically in relation to debates about Scotland’s constitutional future. Given the importance of the referendum and its proximity to the Games, it is unsurprising that the event became intertwined with political positioning from parties on both sides of the constitutional debate. Utilising a novel methodological approach which synthesises analytical frameworks from the field of narrative analysis (Somers, 1994) and political discourse analysis (Fairclough and Fairclough, 2014), this thesis critically examines a range of political discourse sources produced by the five political parties represented in the Scottish Parliament, such as parliamentary speeches, press releases, manifestos and policy documents. Furthermore, the analysis of political discourse is complemented by analysis of nine interviews with MSPs from the respective political parties, namely the Scottish National Party, the Scottish Labour Party, the Scottish Conservatives, the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Green Party. The findings of these complementary analyses are further interrogated through reference to existing academic literature on the relationship between nationalism, politics, sport and international sporting events such as the Commonwealth Games. The thesis identifies a number of emergent findings which make an original contribution to the study of the interconnection between sport, political nationalism and the Commonwealth Games, demonstrating the nuanced and contrasting narratives of the respective pro-independence and pro-union parties with respect to Scotland’s constitutional future and the political ramifications of the Games for the independence referendum. These nuanced positions are demonstrated through consideration of: a) the contrasting narratives of the parties on the Games’ sporting and economic legacy; b) the political symbolism of the Games for Scotland’s constitutional status; c) discourse asserting that the Games should remain an apolitical event; d) the nature of cross-party consensus supporting the Games; and, e) 1 the role of the Games and sport in contemporary political communication. Given the emergence of numerous examples within this thesis whereby the Games became embroiled with political considerations, it is hoped that the prevailing political perceptions regarding the apolitical nature of sport can be challenged, thus allowing for a more diverse array of ideological approaches to the politics of sport. 2 Acknowledgements Having completed this thesis over an extended period of time as a part-time student, the task of ensuring that I fully acknowledge everyone who has supported along the way is ironically one of the most difficult challenges given the abundance of different sources of advice, support and guidance along the way. Nonetheless, I’ll do my utmost to demonstrate my appreciation for everyone who has helped me to maintain both my motivation and sanity over the last four and half years. Firstly, I’d like to thank the numerous colleagues who have supported me during the process of completing this thesis. I’d like to thank everyone at St Mary’s University, Twickenham who encouraged me to commence my doctoral studies whilst working on the Physical and Sport Education programme, such as Andy, Kirsty, Bob, Dean, Amy, Michael A, Sam, Tom, Jess, Helen and Lorna. In particular, I’d like to thank Michael H, Emma and Jason for their continuing friendship and support which I’m delighted to have received since I’ve left St Mary’s – you have always been a great source of fun and humour throughout the process. I’d also like to thank my colleagues at the University of Worcester for supporting me throughout my time here and forgiving my anti-social behaviour during the final stages of the thesis. Firstly, in the Physical Education team, I’d like to thank Becs, Rachael, Polly, Rachel, Charlie, Helen, Vanessa and Lerverne for welcoming me into the team, and outside of the PE department I’d also particularly like to thank Gyozo, Adrian, Ben, Louise, Geoff and Gareth amongst others for their advice and support at various times. I’d also like to particularly thank Dominic Malcolm and Joe Maguire for their support throughout my Masters and doctoral studies at Loughborough. I’d also like to thank my family for their continuous support, advice, understanding and love as I (finally) come to the end of my educational pursuits. To my parents, Lorraine and Alan, I’d like to repeat my gratitude for always believing in me, and for trusting me to chart my own path in life – without this, I would not have pursued a career which gives me as much enjoyment and happiness as my current one does, and I can only hope to be as good a parent as you both were to me in the future. To my big sister Kirsty, I’d like to say thanks for always being there for me when I need her, and for her kind-hearted advice and guidance – I’ll always look up to you. I couldn’t 3 ask for a better extended family than I have through Robert, Rory and Isla, either. I’d also like to thank Colin for always challenging my thinking and beliefs – without a doubt, our numerous conversations on the state of Scottish politics have helped to refine and shape the final outcome of this thesis. Thanks also to Jenny, Greg, Gemma, Lucy and Hugh for welcoming me into the Atkins family. On a personal front, one person has undoubtedly been my rock and anchor throughout this journey – Rachel, I cannot express how much I appreciate all the support and patience you’ve given me over the last 4 and a half years. You have always been unquestionably willing to listen to my moans, soothe my stresses and to placate my strops – I can only hope that you will appreciate how important your support has been. You have always provided me with the love and happiness that I’ve needed to get to this point, and I can’t wait to continue our journey together over the coming years where I can only hope that I can repay your love and belief in me. I love you with all my heart, and I can’t express in words how much I appreciate everything you do for me. Lastly, on both a personal and professional front, I owe a massive debt of gratitude to my PhD supervisor, Alan. I would never have embarked upon this journey if it had not been for your unwavering support, friendship and belief in my abilities. I’m know I’m not alone in the extent to which I value your guidance during the start of my academic and research career – I’m very fortunate to have been in a position to have learned so much from you during my time at Loughborough, and I feel very privileged to be able to call you my friend as well as my mentor. I’ve enjoyed the entire process of completing this thesis, and I have always cherished our numerous meetings (work-related and otherwise) over the last 4 and a half years. I could go on for pages and pages acknowledging the impact you have had on my education and career so far – however, it is suffice to say that if in the future I can achieve but a quarter of what you have accomplished in your career, then I will have be a very happy and successful man. I hope the final product does justice to all the support, time and faith you have invested in me. Thank you very much for everything. 4 Contents Chapter 1 - Introduction 10 Chapter 2 - Literature Review 15 Introduction 15 Nationalism 16 Modernism 16 Perennialism 21 Primordialism 23 Ethnosymbolism 25 Smith’s Typology of Nationalism Paradigms – Critical Reflections 26 Banal and Everyday Nationalism 28 A History of Politics and Nationalism in Scotland 32 Pre-Union History and Nationalism in Scotland 33 Politics, Unionism and Nationalism in Scotland from 1707 to 1945 37 Politics, Unionism and Nationalism in Scotland from 1945 to 41 Present Contemporary Scottish Nationalism 52 Perennialism and Primordialism in the Scottish Context 52 Modernism in the Scottish Context 54 Ethnosymbolism in the Scottish Context 61 Ethnic and Civic Nationalism in the Scottish Context 64 Banal and Everyday Nationalism in the Scottish Context 67 Sport, Politics and Nationalism at International Sporting Events 69 The Politics of Hosting International Sports Events 70 The Politics of the Commonwealth Games 76 Sport, Scottish Nationalism and 2014 85 Sport and Scottish Nationalism 85 Sport and Politics in Contemporary Scotland 89 Sport, Scottish Politics and the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth 93 Games The 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Scottish Independence 97 Referendum Summary 101 Chapter 3 - Methodology 104 Introduction 104 Theoretical, Ontological and Epistemological Considerations 105 Narrative Analysis 110 Critical Discourse Analysis 114 Political Discourse Analysis 118 5 Current Analytical Framework 126 Empirical Methods 129 Empirical Methods – Political Discourse Analysis 129 Empirical Methods – Political Stakeholder Interviews & Surveys 133 Reflexivity and Political Research 137 Chapter 4 - Results and Discussion 140 Introduction