As the countdown begins on the much-anticipated city status competition, a final plea has been made to change the rules.
With Perth among the 25 towns in the running for the prestigious title, local politician Pete Wishart has called for the UK Government to create a new city in each of the nations that have entered.
Under the current proposals, there can be only one winner and a decision is expected within the next six months.
In a letter to the UK Culture Secretary, the Perth and North Perthshire MP highlights previous competitions held as part of Golden Jubilee and millennium celebrations when multiple cities were created.
Mr Wishart said: ”Creating new cities is a great way to mark Her Majesty’s 60 years on the throne and it should be an opportunity that benefits each of the nations across the UK. There is no reason why this competition should not be extended and it is certainly not too late.
”It is disappointing that the UK Government is only offering city status to one candidate. It would have been far better to initiate separate competitions in each of the nations, as in the Golden Jubilee competitions, or multiple cities from across the UK as happened in the millennium competition.
”Even at this late stage, it is not too late for the UK Government to deliver a fairer, truly inclusive competition. The Westminster Government should recognise the distinct civic traditions from each of the nations and seek to extend this competition to allow a winner from each of the nations across the UK.”
Perth’s bid for city status was completed in May and was delivered to the UK Cabinet Office in London by Mr Wishart and Provost of Perth and Kinross, Dr John Hulbert.
The extensive application details the town’s claim for restoration of its city status, which was lost in the 1990s following changes to the definition of a city, as well as claiming its place in history as Scotland’s first capital.
The document also includes messages of support from a number of the nation’s most prominent figures, including First Minister Alex Salmond.
”Perth’s claim is unanswerable, based on its royal history as a medieval capital, where the kings of Scotland lived and were crowned and on its modern prominence at the centre of one of Scotland’s fastest growing and most successful local authorities,” he said.
”It is Scotland’s bid and I know that Perth will be a worthy addition to Scotland’s official cities.”
Earlier this year, the Fair City received fresh hope that it had a strong entry, after UK Cabinet Office Minister Mark Harper wrote to Provost Hulbert noting the ”energetic” campaign being run.
He highlighted the ”pivotal role” Perth has played in Scotland’s history, as well as the ”strength of feeling” expressed within the town.
He wrote: ”The logical conclusion from holding one competition across the UK is that there may be only one winner. However, as you have noted, in the event of the millennium competition, the quantity and quality of entries was very high and three worthy entrants were chosen, including Inverness.
”It therefore remains possible for any UK-wide civic honours competition, including the current one, to result in more than one winner and, of course, for its winner(s) to be from any part of the UK.”