'Skintland' magazine has another go at offending readers north of Border

Sunday 2 September 2012

A FEW months ago it aroused the ire of politicians and commentators north of the Border with its "Skintland" cover, a mock map implying that an independent Scotland could not support itself financially.

Above, The Economist used this photo of a 19th-century slum to illustrate its piece, adding to its use of stereotypes with the mention of deep-fried Mars bars, below Main photograph: TR Annan

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First Minister Alex Salmond said The Economist's cover insulted every Scottish community and added: "They shall rue the day they thought they'd have a joke at Scotland's expense."

Now the London-based news magazine has antagonised sentiment in Scotland's largest city with an article on its health record.

Its use of phrases such as "whisky-soaked summer evenings" and Glaswegians' "excessive love of deep-fried Mars bars and other health-sapping delicacies" has led some readers to claim that the magazine misrepresented the city and perpetuated stereotypes, while others say the article took little account of improvements made to Glasgow's public health. One Labour MSP said: "We need to get past these lazy stereotypes."Beneath the headline "No city for old men" and an 1860 photograph of a backstreet slum, The Economist article said Glaswegians "die younger than other Britons and nobody knows why".Beneath an introductory paragraph, which said people attributed the mortality rate "to whatever they find most troubling about Britain", the article cited a study by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH) which found that between 2003 and 2007, Glasgow had 4500 more deaths than might have been expected, given its demographics.The article analysed some of the "17 competing explanations for the phenomenon", including culture, lack of vitamin D, history and inequality, and concluded: "The 'Glasgow effect' may well be a problem without a solution. It is as if a malign vapour rises from the Clyde at night and settles in the lung of sleeping Glaswegians."Drew Smith, Labour MSP for Glasgow and a member of the Scottish Parliament's health committee, said: "Public health in Glasgow and indeed across Scotland is a hugely complex problem which needs a real understanding of a whole range of issues. If we're serious about meeting these health problems we need a serious and sustained focus on training and jobs, alongside targeted investment in better housing and health."We need to get past these lazy stereotypes and recognise that while Glasgow is Scotland's biggest challenge, it also represents our greatest opportunity if we can make things better."The article attracted many critical online comments from Economist readers. One said: "I detect the malign vapour of bad writing."Another said: "Despite all your attempts at research, the article still smacks of ignorance of which can be attributed to one sentence. In all my life living in Glasgow I have never tried a deep-fried Mars bar, I have never even SEEN [one], in fact I have never met anyone who has tried or has seen [one]. Please, let the silly stereotypes die."Huw Sayer, a freelance business writer, responded: "This is a depressingly glib article for such as serious subject, I expect better analysis from The Economist." Jose M Quiros, a retired economist at the US State Department, studied in Glasgow in the early 1970s. He said: "That Glasgow of 40 years ago compares well with many much celebrated places I have lived in or visited before and since, including Boston, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, New York and San Jose, Costa Rica. The Glaswegians I met made the best they could in very trying circumstances. Glasgow suffered the post-war dismantling of industry earlier than other cities and many of its residents feel trapped because of lack of opportunities to work hard and prosper."One Glasgow reader added: "Next time you want to write on Glasgow, give me a call, and I'll show you something different." Other readers, however, wrote in support of the magazine.RESEARCH carried out by GCPH highlights higher deaths rates in the city compared with similar UK cities, and a gap in life expectancy between the west of Scotland and comparable regions in Europe.Professor Carol Tannahill, the centre's director, said: "Tackling the so-called 'Glasgow effect' is undoubtedly one of the main challenges facing the city, and it can't be put down to any single cause, explained by old stereotypes, or cured by any simple single remedy."While acknowledging the ongoing need for a concerted effort to improve the city's health, it's important to recognise that great progress is being made in many aspects."Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "Poor health has many underlying causes, which can stretch back generations. We are working on all policy fronts including health, education and employment to improve the lives and life chances of all the people of Glasgow, and we are achieving results."A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "Like any complex, modern city, Glasgow has to deal with a wide scope of social problems. But the steps being taken by the council and its partners are bringing about improvements across a wide range of indicators. We are taking a long-term view across a great many issues with the aim of delivering lasting change."No-one was available at The Economist for comment.Report by Russell Leadbetter

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'Skintland' magazine has another go at offending readers north of Border

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