Proof the SNP has taken the dance out of our step

22 Dec 2015

The number of people dancing in Scotland has halved since 2007 – proof that the SNP has taken the spring from the country’s step, new figures have suggested.

A survey of householders across the country has revealed that while 14 per cent said they danced regularly eight years ago when the nationalists came to power, that plunged to just seven per cent last year.

The drop in dancing participation comes despite the rising popularity in that time of television shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice, as well as efforts by both the NHS and the Scottish Government to encourage people to lead active lives.

The comprehensive study asked nearly 10,000 people about their exercise habits, and also found the number of people regularly playing football has fallen from nine per cent of the population to just seven per cent.

Golf has dropped from nine per cent to six per cent in that timeframe, while those regularly playing snooker tumbled four points to five per cent.

The data was revealed in the Scottish Government’s 2014 Scottish Household Survey, published earlier this year.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw said:

“If ever proof was needed that the SNP has sapped the energy from people’s feet, this is it.

“It’s clear thousands of people right across Scotland are worn out by the nationalists’ narrow-minded constitutional wrangling and grievance agenda.

“You could say the Scottish Government has been doing a Charleston all this time.

“But there is a serious side to these figures too.

“They show that many have turned their back on once-popular activities – particularly dancing – which contribute to a healthy lifestyle.

“That is of great concern, and I hope we are somehow able to turn this around in future years.

“With challenges like obesity and diabetes causing increased trouble for the NHS, we need to press home the importance of an active and energetic approach to life.”

Notes to editors:

The below table was part of the Scottish Government’s 2014 Scottish Household Survey (p194):

http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00484186.pdf