All but one of Stirling’s councillors have united to to publicly express their condolences to the Royal family following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
At the first full meeting of Stirling Council since her death, independent councillor Alasdair Macpherson said the monarchy was “racist and sectarian”.
He asked that his dissent to a motion brought forward by the leaders of the Labour, Conservative and SNP groups be recorded.
The motion asked the council to express their condolences to the Royal family, stating that as “a freeman of Stirling, Her late Majesty’s commitment to service and duty is an example to us all” and noting the many visits she made to Stirling district and the city status she granted in 2000.
However Councillor Macpherson said: “My views on the monarchy are well publicised and reflect probably the majority of this country and opinion polls.
“I have no axe to grind with the death of any old person...but I think it’s important to put on record different views on the monarchy.
“I personally think the monarchy is racist and sectarian - if you are a Catholic you can’t become king or queen. In anyone’s books that’s sectarian.
“The monarchy doesn’t reflect me. Going on about King Charles III, I’m sorry but he’s not my king and I’m sure he won’t be in an independent Scotland.
“I’m not going to oppose this motion but it’s important I put on record my long- held views.”
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Councillor Macpherson later said that, given it costs the council an estimated £50-60,000 when its staff are given a day off, it “begged the question given the economic climate we are in and the long period of mourning whether it was money well spent”.
Labour councillor Danny Gibson told Councillor Macpherson: “We’re all entitled to our views on the monarchy and that’s fair game.
“But we are coming up to Christmas but I just wondered if you were auditioning for The Grinch this year. At the end of the day they were entitled to a day off and I’m sure staff welcomed a day off.”
Council leader Chris Kane said: “This may be the first time we have had a motion that has been jointly proposed by the three group leaders which I think reflects the magnitude of what we have all been through across the country in recent weeks.
“It is with deep sadness that we have all taken in the news and watched what’s been happening since the country has gone through this transition from Queen Elizabeth II to King Charles III.
“From a personal point of view it’s been a deeply moving period...as we reflect on the life and the duty in the legacy she has left.”
SNP leader Scott Farmer added: “This motion is not about the institution of the monarchy, because people have differing views on that, it’s about the individual who filled the post of monarch and queen and who devoted her life to public service in a way that could only be regarded as remarkable and with aplomb.
“It’s only fitting that we pay tribute to a person that has committed all their lives to public service and their duties for all parts of this country.”
Tory group leader Neil Benny said it was “an important moment in our history”. He reflected on a moment in the 1990s when he came close to meeting the Queen in Stirling and how it was an abiding memory.
“For many people who met HM The Queen for whatever reason if they were in her presence it’s a memory that stuck with them. The reaction the country had was one that was understandable.
“There is something about the sense of duty and life of service that HM The Queen lived. The person Queen Elizabeth II filled that role incredibly well. She steered and was the backdrop to huge change in this country.”
The group leaders agreed that sole Green’s councillor Alasdair Tollemache’s support of the motion also be reflected in the minutes.
