Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith have welcomed official confirmation that Perth has gained official city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith originally launched the “Setting up the City” campaign for Perth to gain legal city status in 2004. Murdo Fraser has today lodged a parliamentary motion in the Scottish Parliament entitled ‘The City of Perth’, which congratulates everyone involved in the campaign – see notes to editors for full text. Liz Smith said: “This is fantastic news for Perth, particularly when it comes during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year. “May I warmly congratulate all those involved, specifically the Lord Lieutenant, Brigadier Mel Jamieson, and the Provost, John Hulbert, for their unflagging efforts to promote Perth over many months to ensure Perth was able to compete so favourably against many other worthy submissions from the rest of the UK. This is a win for Scotland as well as for Perth.” Murdo Fraser said: “It is welcome news for the whole of Scotland that Perth has gained city status. Perth can rightly call itself the City of Perth and it has a bright future as one of Scotland’s seven cities. “I would like to thank all the supporters for their work and backing for Perth, including local residents and businesses. City status enhances Perth on the national and international stage and Perth will use its new status to the benefit of the whole of Perth & Kinross.” ENDS The City of Perth Murdo Fraser: That the Parliament welcomes Perth gaining official city status as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations; acknowledges that Perth gaining city status allows Perth to become Scotland’s seventh city; believes city status will boost Perth’s local economy and enhance the city’s national and international standing; congratulates Perth & Kinross Council for all their work and effort in submitting and promoting Perth’s city status bid; recognises that the whole of Scotland got behind the Perth city status bid and thanks everyone involved in the campaign, including the general public, Perth businesses, civic society, the local media and politicians from all political parties; and that Perth can look forward to its future with its rightful and official title as the City of Perth For more information please contact Sam McMillan on 0131 348 5293