The news that the hard-fought campaign to restore Perth’s city status has been won has been greeted with widespread jubilation.
Politicians, councillors and the people of Perth welcomed the news and the prospect of the real economic benefits that will follow.
The Queen, on the advice of government ministers, granted city status to Perth as part of her diamond jubilee year celebrations, ending a tense year-long campaign.
The man who was the public face of that campaign, Provost John Hulbert, praised the support the project had received including the backing of The Courier in the quest to have Perth officially designated a city.
”I am delighted that official city status has been restored to Perth,” Dr Hulbert said. ”Everyone in the council shares my excitement at the prospect of a glorious new chapter in Perth’s long history.
”This decision reflects the fact that Perth is at the forefront of Scottish life a modern, dynamic, international city, offering unrivalled business, artistic, educational, cultural and sporting opportunities to its citizens and visitors.
”It is located at the hub of Scotland’s transport network, at the gateway to the Highlands, and in the midst of remarkable scenery.
”The city and Royal Burgh of Perth was the capital of Scotland from the 9th century until 1437 and then officially the second city of Scotland until 1975.
”Even although city status was summarily removed when local government was reorganised, Perth has continued to be known as the Fair City. Full restoration of its ancient dignity is long overdue.”See Thursday’s Courier for more in-depth coverage of Perth’s city statusThe question of the restoration of the title of lord provost doesn’t automatically follow on from the grant of official city status, as it is a devolved matter and an application will need to be submitted to the Scottish Government before the civic leader of the new city can use that title.
Dr Hulbert said the ”righting of a wrong” had been richly deserved by Perth, which mounted what has been widely regarded as the most professional bid of all the 25 applications made to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee contest.
Explaining why he believed they had been successful, Dr Hulbert said: ”Perth has many royal connections, and is the home of The Black Watch, the army’s most famous infantry battalion. It is the home of home-grown multi-national firms, such as Scottish & Southern Electricity and Stagecoach, and is an important centre for Aviva and Famous Grouse.
”It is a city that I am proud to serve.
”I would like to thank everyone who has supported Perth’s campaign, including the leaders of all the political parties in Scotland, all the Scottish members of the European Parliament and the lord provosts and provosts of the six existing cities of Scotland.
“My thanks also go to the employers in the area, our public and voluntary sector partners and our international supporters who have helped to make Perth the thriving, secure and inclusive place it is.
”This wide-ranging support, both locally and from further afield, was hugely significant in raising Perth’s profile, and in sustaining what has been a very long campaign to have Perth’s historic status restored. We will now seek to build on our city status success for the benefit of our people and our communities.
”At a local level the council will ensure that Perth is truly at the centre of events in Scotland, with an impressive programme for the diamond jubilee in June, the Year of Creative Scotland and the Year of Natural Scotland, leading to the Ryder Cup in 2014.
”It is with great pleasure that I look forward to the exciting times ahead with the title of city restored. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Chelmsford and St Asaph which join Perth today as official cities, and Armagh, which was granted Lord Mayoralty for the diamond jubilee.”