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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think Andy Murray was silly to wade in to the debate….

85 replies

Vagabond · 18/09/2014 22:22

His Mum is SOOOO not going to win Strictly!

Also, he had no gain. He can't vote so why say anything? Just seems foolish.

OP posts:
iamsoannoyed · 18/09/2014 23:04

He is, of course, entitled to his opinion, but he might like to remember that most of the crowd at SW19 are English and crowd support can be make or break in a game of tennis

How very generous of you to allow a Scotsman an opinion on the Scottish Independence referendum. So he should not share his opinion in case the English supporters don't like it? Surely it won't make much difference- if it is a Yes he probably won't be playing for GB so couldn't depend on "home support" at Wimbledon and if it's a "No" I don't think the majority of people would stop supporting the only GB player likely to get anywhere at Wimbledon.

given what he said before and the crap he got for it

Maybe that's why he said it late in the day? Maybe he couldn't be bothered with a prolonged debate? Maybe he was undecided and has just made his decision.

rootypig · 18/09/2014 23:04

He can't vote so why say anything? Just seems foolish.

Because he cares. Hmm

UncleT · 18/09/2014 23:08

We all have a right to comment on it, Andy Murray included.

backbystealth · 18/09/2014 23:09

Of course he's been stupid.

He'll have very few English/GB supporters from now on. That matters.

He's even less appealing to advertisers.

He's shown himself to be cowardly and two faced.

He lives in southern England in a big fuck off pile.

rootypig · 18/09/2014 23:10

Honestly, the opportunity to see Murray play for Scotland in front of a cats bum crown at Wimbers, the hypocritical twats, is just one more reason to vote yes.

iamsoannoyed · 18/09/2014 23:13

Nancy- I am astounded at how difficult so many people cannot seem to understand that whole independence issue (and debate) isn't just "pro-England vs Anti-England". Genuinely, it really isn't about being for or against the English. This is actually more about our ability to determine things for ourselves, or whether we prefer to be part of the UK.

Some are anti-Westminster politicians, very, very few are anti-English people.

The pettiness that would drive people to refuse to support a Scottish player, who was playing for GB, in the event of a No vote because he had been in favour of independence is quite profound.

nancy75 · 18/09/2014 23:16

He won't be playing for Scotland at Wimbledon he will be playing for money - players at Wimbledon don't represent their country unless it is in something like the olympics.

The question was not how he should vote but if he has been foolish to voice those opinions - given the effect it could have on his career both on & off court I think he would have been better to say nothing. Murray as a player does not play well when the crowd are against him - it seems to bother him more than most of the other big name players

Original poster
Vagabond · 18/09/2014 23:18

I think people are responding to what feels like Anti-English, not pro-Scottish.

Perhaps if the sentiment of yes vote wasn't so anti-English, the rest of us would feel so 'rejected'.

WE FEEL REJECTED. And that's what it comes down to. Well, that's how I feel. "Don't you want us?". Boo!

OP posts:
Original poster
Vagabond · 18/09/2014 23:18

Wouldn't feel so rejected - d'oh!

Don't goooooooo…...

OP posts:
nancy75 · 18/09/2014 23:19

iamsoannoyed - my view on the independence issue has nothing to do with my view on Andy Murray's tweet - professionally it was an unwise thing to do.
The media will (and already have) jump on him for it and people will stop supporting him. This thread is about his tweet - not Scottish independence as a whole.

Tinkerball · 18/09/2014 23:19

But Nancy are you saying people who have supported him before will suddenly stop because if his view re Scotland getting independence? Why is a yes vote seen then as somehow being "anti-English"?

hmc · 18/09/2014 23:23

Andy Murray has every right to voice an opinion. It won't affect my support for him at Wimbledon because I didn't support him in the first instance.

nancy75 · 18/09/2014 23:26

Tinkerball - In the case of Andy Murray the any one but England comment went down very badly - it took him years to get away from that and get the support of the crowds, there are other players that people think are much more likeable than Murray but he was supported here because he was seen as the "home" team - if people stop seeing him in that way they will support the personality they like.

Being a tennis player is brutal - on court it is him, the other bloke and the crowd (who sit very close to the court). Home advantage is a massive thing for a player, Murray will have damaged that with his comment.

Original poster
Vagabond · 18/09/2014 23:26

I think a YES vote will definitely impact Andy Murray's support from the English at Wimbledon for very obvious reasons.

OP posts:
Serenitysutton · 18/09/2014 23:29

I think there is something creepy about him. He doesn't come across as very bright or sophisticated, and bearing in mind sponsorship etc, getting into politics wasn't very bright of him either.

nancy75 · 18/09/2014 23:31

Serenitysutton - I work with a few people that know/have worked with him. By all accounts he is a very nice guy BUT he comes across badly in interviews (he is obviously not comfortable with that side of the job)

KnackeredMuchly · 18/09/2014 23:38

I was very disappointed in Andy's last minute vocal support of the Yes campaign.

But, I see now that he's entitled to his opinion, but IABU to have an opinion on his opinion. Of course.

iamsoannoyed · 18/09/2014 23:42

Vagabond: Aside from the odd few people, this has not really been a debate based on "anti-English" sentiment in Scotland from those wanting independence. It is about Scotland deciding it's future, and whether we want to have a greater say over what happens here in Scotland or not- it's not about whether we like English people or not.

I know from friends who live in England the media coverage we have had here in Scotland has been quite different to that in England.

There is some disaffection with Westminster and it's politicians (of all nationality)- that is not the same as "hating the English". There are some people who feel that Scotland should have more say regarding how our country is run. Very few are voting one way or another because they like or dislike England.

HauntedNoddyCar · 18/09/2014 23:48

The public at large are fickle. Wimbledon is 9 months away. Assuming Murray gets through the rounds then he'll be the closest thing to a local hero the crowd have. It won't make a dent imo.

mrsruffallo · 18/09/2014 23:50

Yes, lets respect his right to an opinio . If only JK Rowling haf been defended the way he had.

HenriettaTurkey · 18/09/2014 23:51

Why the heck shouldn't he have an opinion?

There's nothing wrong with being politically engaged, and it's hardly a radical opinion as it appears almost half of Scotland agree.

And he's only mentioned it once...not like some who mention it all the damn time...

Personally I don't agree with him, but good on him for engaging with the debate.

mrsruffallo · 18/09/2014 23:51

Very easy to be renegrade when you are living in surrey

claig · 18/09/2014 23:55

I think Andy Murray is a great guy. He has a great sense of humour, has humility and is a bit shy which is why he sometimes does not come across as well as he could.

There is no gaffe in stating his views and we English will not hold his views against him because this is not about being anti-English, this is about democracy, independence, self-government and self-determination.

This is the most historic vote in Scotland for a lifetime and I think Andy must have felt that he, as a major figure in this country, should join millions of ordinary people in expressing his views. He left it late, but probably felt that it was better late than never, even if he knew he would get some flak from some people.

We live in a great country and we all respect democracy and difference of opinion.

I disagree with Vivienne Westwood on many of her left wing views, but I think she is a shining example of what it is to be English - she is independent, non-conformist, somewhat eccentric, passionate and brave. Just because she is wrong on lots of things doesn't diminish how great and different and unique a voice she is. That is what makes this country great. Tolerance and acceptance of difference and democracy.

HenriettaTurkey · 18/09/2014 23:56

Claig put it better than me. In my head that's what I meant!

Tinkerball · 18/09/2014 23:57

Mrsrufffalo why dies it matter where he lives? He might not be entitled to a vote but that doesn't mean he doesn't have an opinion and the right to express it.