The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, known for its fearless political satire, is notably absent of performances lampooning recent scandals involving Scotland's governing Scottish National Party (SNP), according to commentator Michael Glackin.
Glackin points to several high-profile issues, including the case of a £125,000 motorhome, the alleged embezzlement of around £400,000 from the party, and the arrest and subsequent acquittal of a former SNP leader on sexual offense charges. He suggests these events, along with the conviction of the former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, for embezzling party funds, are ripe for satirical treatment.
Despite the wealth of material, Glackin observes a lack of shows addressing these specific controversies, contrasting this with the festival's willingness to satirize figures like Donald Trump or Andy Burnham. He posits that comedians in Scotland who identify as anti-establishment often remain within the Scottish political establishment, coining the term "Spewing Sycophancy" for what he perceives as a lack of critical edge.
Glackin also touches upon internal party dynamics, citing Sturgeon's recent criticism of current SNP leader John Swinney's perceived lack of vision. He notes Swinney's long-standing loyalty to Sturgeon, even amidst controversies such as the handling of the pandemic and the gender self-ID debate, suggesting a reluctance to publicly distance himself from her legacy.
The motorhome, Glackin suggests, serves as a metaphor for the Sturgeon era, representing something large and conspicuous that was consistently overlooked. He also recounts author J.K. Rowling's strong criticisms of Sturgeon, including accusations of disloyalty and being "the blindest wife ever to enjoy the fruits of a fraudster husband’s theft."
Sturgeon's upcoming appearances at the Fringe to promote her memoir are highlighted, with Glackin noting her recent comments about no longer speaking to her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, who is now imprisoned. The SNP has reportedly written off the value of the motorhome, and Murrell was still owed a significant sum by the party according to its latest accounts.
Glackin concludes by expressing a hope that some Fringe performers will address these issues, even humorously, and playfully suggests he might write a play himself, titled "Carry on Campervan," to fill the satirical void.