The Aberdeen Conservative Group motion to put £30,000 towards a bid to host the next Eurovision song contest in Aberdeen was successful at full council yesterday.
Though Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra were successful in Milan earlier this year, the European Broadcasting Union have stated that as a result of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine following Russia’s illegal invasion of the country, the 2023 contest would have to be held elsewhere.
Following the United Kingdom’s entry, Sam Ryder, coming second in Milan, this responsibility is set to fall to the UK.
The motion, put forward by Conservative Group Leader Cllr Ryan Houghton, followed a letter by Douglas Lumsden MSP to the Managing Director of the P&J Live. Douglas wrote: "It has been great to see Teca reopening and attracting so many first-class events after what has been a very difficult couple of years for the sector."
"While it is normally up to the winner to host the following years competition the conflict in Ukraine seems to make this very idficult and it may fall to the runner up to host next year's event."
"If Eurovision is coming to the United Kingdom, I could think of no better location to host the event than our very own P&J Live."
Speaking to the Press & Journal regarding the success of the motion Cllr Houghton said: “I’m glad that council agreed to support a Eurovision bid which would be an incredible event for Aberdeen to host.
“The economic benefit would be significant and it’s imperative now that all our politicians get behind the city.”
