Labour MP Torcuil Crichton has called for UK and Scottish governments to “raise the Mack out of the ashes”.
The UK and Scottish governments have been urged to “come together” and support the restoration of The Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh Building.
Labour MP Torcuil Crichton has called for the two governments to collaborate and “raise the Mack out of the ashes”.
The historic building was wrecked by fires in 2014 and 2018.
Glasgow School of Art recently said it could not restore the building without additional financial support.
Its report into restoration plans found costs far more expensive than previously thought, at £265 million.
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During a House of Commons debate on the issue last night (Monday) Western Isles MP Mr Crichton said: “Because I was attending the Mòd in Glasgow on Friday, I missed out the Prime Minister’s speech in neighbouring Motherwell in which he offered a new direction, a new deal between two of Scotland’s governments.
“On the way back south I listened back to the speech, and it struck me as a nuanced and sincere and sophisticated offer of co-operation. I hope, beyond the rhetoric, it is recognised as such in Bute House and in Holyrood.
“I know the First Minster was busy with his own speech-making on the weekend, but if I were him, I would listen closely again to the Prime Minister’s message and realise if he is looking for progress, that for the Mack, and Glasgow, this could be big win for both governments.
“Nothing could symbolise a new era of doing politics differently in Scotland and the UK than the two governments coming together, with other interested parties, to raise the Mack out of the ashes - to do nothing less than replicate and restore it to its former glory.
“The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society has called for an independent body to oversee the restoration of the fire-ravaged Building and for its ownership to be transferred away from the Glasgow School of Art.
“Personally, I am agnostic about the means, devout about the delivery. Restoring the Mackintosh building simply must be done.
“That is a proposal worth exploring, worth exploring around the table with all interested parties.”
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Mr Crichton said Scotland’s two governments should learn from the rebuilding of the Notre Dame in Paris - and that restoration could help Glasgow’s economy.
He said: “This is a great success story, an example of what can be done. Notre Dame is now resuscitated and resplendent for all to see. Indeed, many have come to see. It is estimated that 15 million people visited the rejuvenated spectacle in the year following its reopening to the public.
“I believe that a fully restored Mack, in line with GSA's ambitions as a part of a re-energised Glasgow cultural quarter, can become a UK economic driver just as Notre Dame is to France.”
This summer, Glasgow School of Art (GSA) announced “the current governance, management and delivery model for the Mackintosh Building Project is not sustainable alongside GSAs primary purpose”.
The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society then vowed to form an “international pressure group” to take over the Mackintosh Building and lead a “world-class” reconstruction project.
The society called for new model of custodianship fronted by its experts.