by Bill Heaney
The SNP is ‘raising a glass’ to Argentina to belatedly mark the first anniversary of Scotch Whisky being given legal protection in the South American country – on the same day England play them in the World Cup semi-finals.
The party has been accused of using whisky to “stoke anti-English sentiment” in Scotland ahead of the team’s World Cup semi-final clash with Argentina. The nationalist party is “raising a glass” to the South American country to apparently mark one year since it gave legal protection to the national drink.
But they are 13 days late to the party, with this actually happening on July 3, 2025. Instead, the anniversary is being marked on July 15, coincidentally the same day Thomas Tuchel’s men attempt to defeat the World Champions in Atlanta to make Sunday’s final.
But these comments have been slated by the Scottish Tories who accused the SNP of “stoking anti-English sentiment.”
“However, the SNP’s latest stunt is not about promoting Scottish heritage. Instead, it is a cheap attempt to try and stoke anti-English sentiment ahead of a major football match. England are our next-door neighbours and Scots have friends, relatives and colleagues who are from there. SNP MSPs should just be enjoying the football and stop trying to turn everything into another nationalist grievance.”
England are two games away from repeating 1966 but must first beat a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, with both teams going through after gruelling quarter-finals that went to extra time. The winner will play Spain in the final.
- England’s star player Harry Kane’s family come from Letterfrack near Clifden in Connemara, where many Dumbarton families have friends and relatives, so maybe that’s a good reason to support England tonight.