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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

Green MSP backs Proclaimers after legendary band are removed from Coronation playlist

A Green MSP has backed the Proclaimers after the legendary duo were removed from an official King's coronation playlist after their anti-royal views were questioned.

Craig and Charlie Reid's hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) was originally featured alongside other prominent UK artists on the Spotify playlist.

Ross Greer, a West of Scotland MSP, told the Record that "no band should be made to go cap in hand to the Royals".

The tracks were picked by the UK Government Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as a suggested street party soundtrack.

But the Proclaimers single was removed after it was pointed out the Reids are long-term critics of the Royal Family.

Greer said: "Proclaimers no more! Hearts will be broken by this decision.

"No band should be made to go cap in hand to the Royals. With only days until the golden carriage hits the streets, more and more people are challenging the pageantry, cost and ridiculousness of monarchy, especially in Scotland.

"It's time for a national debate on this antiquated and undemocratic system.

"The Proclaimers have recorded some of the most iconic songs that Scotland has ever produced and are known far more than 500 miles away, from Miami to Canada, it's a shame that they're not gonna be on the playlist.

"That might have actually made it worth a listen."

Charlie Reid previously expressed republican views in after a man in Oxford was arrested for shouting "who elected him?" during a proclamation event for King Charles last September.

The Proclaimer singer said: "I thought that guy spoke for me, and he speaks for loads of other people. Not just in Scotland, but right around the UK."

Symon Hill, who works for the pacifist Peace Pledge Union, was initially charged under the Public Order Act but his case was later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The Proclaimers have also described their song In Recognition, from the 2007 album Life With You, as a representation of "our overwhelming contempt for people on the left in this country who snipe against the royal family and then end up taking honours".

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