‘Killjoy’ MSP seeks ban on family firework displays

BONFIRE Night is a muchloved tradition by families and children up and down the country.

But while fireworks are enjoyed by many, one politician claims they cause ‘annoyance and anxiety’ to others.

Labour MSP David Stewart has tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament calling for people to attend official community displays on November 5 rather than holding family-run events.

But the move is facing resistance at Holyrood, with Nationalist MSP Kate Forbes branding Mr Stewart a ‘killjoy’.

In his motion, Mr Stewart asks parliament to note that ‘fireworks will be set off other than at organised events’ and understand ‘that annoyance and anxiety will be caused to many people and domestic pets and wildlife’. The Highlands and Islands MSP also ‘urges everyone to stop and think before setting off fireworks other than at community events’ and ‘encourages all to report to the police anyone witnessed throwing or setting off fireworks in the street’.

Last night, Miss Forbes, who represents Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said: ‘While community events should be encouraged, in the remote Highlands there will be many smaller family-run events and against this backdrop the motion could be a bit of a killjoy.

‘Since I was a little girl, I’ve been going to fireworks displays organised by several cousins. The fireworks go off while fireworks in the neighbours’ gardens are also going off, so I really don’t think it’s uniquely disturbing.’

She added: ‘When Scotland is facing unprecedented financial and constitutional challenges, it beggars belief that any politician can find the time to table motions on such trivial matters.’

A Scottish Labour source said: ‘Asking people to stop and think before setting off a firework is the responsible thing to do. Only the SNP could shoehorn a reference to “constitutional challenges” into a comment about Bonfire Night. This is a party utterly obsessed with creating division.’

Every year Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire Rescue Service advise of fireworks dangers and urge safety.

Last year, two teenage boys in Gretna were taken to hospital after fireworks went off in their hands.