A poll by an independently-run UK group, conducted in the wake of the failed Scottish referendum, indicates that most registered voters opted against separation from the United Kingdom because of Mel Gibson’s supposed connection to Scottish independence.
The poll, conducted by non-partisan group UK Statistics Authority, sought to compile and examine reasons behind the referendum’s surprising outcome. With a relatively high voter turnout of 84.6 per cent, 55.3 per cent voted against separation; of those in favour of staying a part of the United Kingdom, 61 per cent reported that their primary reason for voting “no” was the belief that Mel Gibson is somehow behind the Scottish independence movement.
“The fact that Braveheart holds a large sway over people’s ideas of what Scottish independence means can no longer be ignored,” said University of Dundee statistics professor Malcolm MacDuff, after digesting the poll’s findings. “I mean, it’s absolutely ludicrous that people still associate Mel Gibson with a role that’s almost 20 years old, but what are you going to do about it?”
Arguably Gibson’s most famous role, Braveheart found the actor portraying the iconic Sir William Wallace in his struggle for Scottish independence — the film is also widely regarded as the only film where Gibson’s radical traditionalist Catholic views aren’t overtly promoted.
“The number of Braveheart reruns on TV are so powerful that we now have conclusive proof that many ill-informed individuals actually believe Mel Gibson holds some form of leadership role within Scotland; his own personal beliefs are being mistakenly paired with what Scottish independence actually means.”
While Braveheart coincided with the height of Gibson’s popularity, the actor’s reputation has staggered in recent years, with repeated arrests for drunk driving, accusations of homophobia by numerous LGBTQ organizations, and the 1998 action-comedy Lethal Weapon 4. As a result, Scottish dreams of independence and many Scottish National Party (SNP) supporters find themselves in Gibson’s long shadow.
Ewan Stuart, a member of the SNP, said the poll’s results weren’t surprising but that the population should be better informed about current political figures, as well as Gibson’s later, more underrated films.
“That piece of shite makes all of us look like a bunch of boozy, anti-Semites and we simply aren’t,” fumed Stuart, “and I think we can all agree that Braveheart wasn’t his last great film. What about Signs? I’m sure no one’s walking around thinking Gibson’s actually a retired priest who’s struggling to keep his family together during an alien invasion. At least, I hope not.
“For god’s sake, the man is an actor, not the bloody First Minister of Scotland! Come on, people. Pick up a newspaper. At least read a Wikipedia article or something!”
In response to the poll’s findings, Stuart has begun advocating for a moratorium on Braveheart re-runs until Gibson is no longer viewed as an important political figure or until people stop parodying the famous William Wallace speech on Youtube — whichever comes first.
“We need to ban re-runs of Braveheart until the damage has been reversed. Or at the very least, make a reboot starring someone likeable and Scottish like Ewan McGregor.”
