A SCOTTISH GREENS MSP praised the opening of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games for its “steam punkery and diversity” – but questioned the inclusion of a “horrible Murdo Fraser Fantasy”.
Mark Ruskell had tuned in for the opening ceremony, which saw Lenny Henry introduce “The Great Dudley Nation” to the world.
A host of other famous faces, including Joe Lycett, Motsi Mabuse and American rock star Lenny Kravitz, delivered virtual messages of support to the competitors as they entered the 30,000-capacity Alexander Stadium.
One element of the opening ceremony which took place just before the arrival of royals Charles and Camilla was a display of Union Jackery.
🤩An incredible show.
đź‘‘A royal arrival.
🥰An incredible welcome.
this clip. has. this everything!#B2022 pic.twitter.com/93SznXFKiw
— Birmingham 2022 (@birminghamcg22) July 28, 2022
A traffic jam was made with cars, in colors 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 was really a horrible fantasy by @murdo_fraser. I liked the steampunkness and diversity of the rest and đź‘Ź @joelycett”
Scottish Tory MSP, arch-unionist and well-known national front page retweeter, Murdo Fraser wrote in response: “Are you ok hun?”
are you ok hun
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) July 29
Comedian Lycett used his presenting show as an opportunity to introduce himself as “Birmingham’s answer to Sporty Spice” as he introduced athletes from Asia.
“I’m delighted to be here next to all this pyrotechnics in this highly flammable suit,” he said, dressed in a pink and white ruffled tracksuit.
“I’m going to do something now that the British government doesn’t always do, and I’m going to welcome some foreigners, this time from the Asia region.”