| A poll conducted by the Tele shows people thought it would be a waste of money and that many of the younger generation would not know Churchill had been a Dundee MP.
But some say he should be honoured for his record as a war leader.
Councillor Neil Powrie raised the suggestion of erecting a statue to honour the former wartime Prime Minister and hopes that Dundee’s historical animosity to Winston Churchill can be set aside in time to celebrate the 2008 centenary of his election as the city’s MP.
Churchill is said to have despised Dundonians after his constituents, whom he served for almost 15 years, rejected him at the ballot box. Churchill represented Dundee at Westminster from 1908-22, when he lost his seat to the only Prohibitionist MP ever elected in Britain, Edwin Scrymgeour.
The Tele asked Dundee people their views on whether a statue should be erected in the city to honour Churchill.
Mrs Netta Craig, from Broughty Ferry, and friend Mrs Margaret Grubb, of Douglas, said there should be no statue of Churchill.
“That’s like rubbing salt in the wound after he was drummed out of Dundee,” said Mrs Craig.
While Mrs Grubb added, “It would be a waste of money. The city is needing money spent on other things long before we pay for a statue of Churchill.”
Jack Brand, who lives in Monifieth, said, “He was a great politician and a great leader during the war, but he was also lampooned in Dundee.
“I have no preference whether there is a statue or not but I don’t see any reason not to honour the man.”
Mark Prophet is against a statue of Churchill. “Why should we have a statue of an English Prime Minister?” he said.
“If it’s going to cost money and increase taxes then, no. They’re (taxes) high enough as it is.”
Dundee man Tony McIntosh said he “wouldn’t like a statue at all. I didn’t think he was anything to do with Dundee. The other thing is how much it is going to cost.”
Mrs Doreen Lees, of Newbigging, said, “Too much time has gone by,” and added, “Nobody would know about his connections to Dundee.
“I would think 80% of people wouldn’t know he was an MP in Dundee.”
Dave Wilson said, “It’s an expense we can’t afford and it’s far too late to think about a statue for him now.
“He did a good enough job in the town.”
Mrs Wilma Alexander strongly disagrees with a statue. She said, “He said he hoped grass would grow over the streets of Dundee, so I don’t think there should be a statue of him.”
Peter Donaldson has previously written to the Tele and said, “Dundee has a unique link with this historic figure, unmatched anywhere in Scotland, and we should exploit it.
“A statue of Winston Churchill as he was at that time, with appropriate history, could prove quite an attraction.”
— The Tele offers readers another chance to express their opinion our simple poll on the issue, which started yesterday.
All you have to do is call our vote line on 08700 500 236.
When prompted, follow the instructions to vote either YES or NO to the proposal to have a statue of the Second World War leader erected in Dundee.
The poll will close at midnight on Wednesday, and we will announce the result on Thursday. |
