Scots Makar Liz Lochhead becomes distinguished supporter

December 18, 2014

Later today (Thursday 18th December 2014) at a cross-party Humanist Yuletide Lunch event, Liz Lochhead the Scots Makar (national poet) will be announced as a new ‘Distinguished Supporter’ of the Humanist Society Scotland.

On Thursday 18th December (2014), the Humanist Society Scotland will host a cross-party Humanist Yuletide Lunch in the Scottish Parliament. This event is co-sponsored by Marco Biagi (SNP), Dr Richard Simpson (Scottish Labour), Ruth Davidson (Scottish Conservatives), Willie Rennie (Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Patrick Harvie (representing Scottish Greens and Independents).

The event will be open to all MSPs and Parliamentary staff, with many MPSs expected to attend.

The event will feature a speech by Douglas McLellan, chief executive of HSS as well as an address by Marco Biagi MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment.

Speaking about the news of Liz Lochhead’s appointment, Mr Biagi said:

“As Scots Makar, Liz Lochhead continues to inspire our people and enrich our nation, both as a poet and advocate. Scotland’s diversity is our strength, as we build a nation where people of all faith and none can achieve their potential. We are all the richer for her contributions to every part of our civic life.”

Accepting the invitation to become a ‘Distinguished Supporter’, Liz Lochhead said:

“In a world where we sometimes feel despair about the human race and where differences of race culture and religion are used by the unscrupulous and powerful few to fuel hatred and violence among the powerless, what could be more important than to meet in the middle of this bleak midwinter to assert our commitment to trying in every way — in wee ways and very big ways — to assert our common human capacity for change. For human goodness and mercy all our lives.”

Speaking at the event, Douglas McLellan, chief executive of HSS, is expected to say:

“Since time immemorial human beings have gathered together in midwinter in solidarity with one another. In doing so we are also mindful of those in our society who are less fortunate, for whom life is tough and the rewards too few and far between.

“It’s often said that politics is the art of the possible, and for as long as Members of this Parliament put the wellbeing and fulfilment of human potential at the heart of our politics – they will have an ally in humanists.”