Today’s formal confirmation that Glasgow will host the 2026 Commonwealth Games is great news for the city, the whole of Scotland, and the future of the Games.
Although 2026 will be on a smaller scale to when Glasgow hosted the Games a decade ago, the passion of the athletes, the enthusiasm of the supporters, and the dedication of the volunteers will be just as great.
The Commonwealth Games remains one of the world’s premier sporting events and the thousands of visitors who will descend on Scotland’s biggest city will have a welcome cultural and £150 million economic impact.
Today, I will stand alongside John Swinney at Glasgow’s iconic Armadillo, to officially confirm the city as the Game’s host. As politicians standing on stage next to world class athletes, both the First Minister and I know we are not the main attraction.
Today is about elite sport, the power of the Commonwealth Games, and the benefits we hope they will bring to communities in Glasgow and across Scotland. But politics has played an important part in getting us here.
Since being appointed Secretary of State for Scotland, just over 100 days ago, I have sought to reset the relationship between Scotland’s two governments.
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That doesn’t mean we agree on everything - of course we don’t. But the Scottish people expect and deserve their governments to work together in the national interest, and I am proud that has happened in the case of the Commonwealth Games.
It wasn’t easy. When the Australian bid fell through, it looked as if the Games might not happen in 2026 and perhaps never again. Public finances are tight everywhere and there aren’t too many cities with the existing infrastructure required to deliver a successful event at short notice.
It was a time for grown up politics, to roll up our sleeves and work constructively towards a common goal. I am really proud of the active role the Scotland Office and the whole UK Government played in getting us here, but I also know that it wouldn’t have happened without the Scottish Government taking a similar approach.
It would be naive to think that politics in Scotland is reset thanks to one good example of cooperation, no matter how significant.
The public don’t want politicians to agree all the time and let’s not forget that 2026 will also bring hotly contested Scottish Parliament elections.
Neither Anas Sarwar nor I will hold back in exposing the SNP’s woeful record in government. But when there is an opportunity to put party politics aside and work in partnership with others to get things done, Scottish Labour will do it.
There is still a lot of work required to deliver a successful Commonwealth Games and to really reset the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments.
Neither task will be easy, but my team and I at the Scotland Office are ready to play our part. It’s what the Scottish public deserve and what will deliver the change they want to see.
Ian Murray is the Secretary of State for Scotland.
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