A SCOTTISH GREENS MSP praised the opening of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games for its “steam punkery and diversity” – but questioned the inclusion of a “ghastly Murdo Fraser Fantasy”.
Mark Ruskell had tuned into the opening ceremony, which saw Lenny Henry introduce the world to “The Great Nation of Dudley”.
A cast of other famous faces including Joe Lycett, Motsi Mabuse and US rock star Lenny Kravitz, delivered virtual messages of support to the competitors as they entered the Alexander Stadium, which held 30,000 spectators.
One element of the opening ceremony that took place just prior to the arrival of members of the royal family Charles and Camilla was a demonstration of Union Jackery.
🤩An amazing spectacle. 👑A Royal arrival. 🥰An incredible welcome. This. clip. has. it. all!#B2022 pic.twitter.com/93SznXFKiw
— Birmingham 2022 (@birminghamcg22) July 28, 2022
A traffic jam was made out of cars, in colours that formed the flag of the United Kingdom.
Responding to a video of the ceremony, Ruskell wrote: “A traffic jam of Triumph Stags in the shape of the Union Jack really was a ghastly @murdo_fraser fantasy. I enjoyed the steam punkery and diversity of the rest of it and 👏 @joelycett”
Scottish Tory MSP, arch-Unionist and well-known retweeter of National front pages Murdo Fraser wrote in response: “You OK hun?”
You OK hun? https://t.co/vutK3f997j
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) July 29, 2022
Comedian Lycett took his presenting gig as an opportunity to present himself as “Birmingham’s answer to Sporty Spice” as he introduced athletes from Asia.
“I’m thrilled to be here next to all these pyrotechnics in this highly flammable outfit,” he said, dressed in a frilly pink and white tracksuit.
“I’m going to do something now that the British government doesn’t always do, and welcome some foreigners, this time from the region of Asia.”
