Stirling can enjoy benefits of Brexit
I have spent the last few months travelling around the region, talking to people about the challenges and the opportunities arising from Brexit for the Stirling region and the wider Scottish economy.
I voted to remain in the EU and was disappointed by the outcome of the vote. That said, I am a democrat and, having spent the last 20 years in business, I know that you have to deal with the many challenges that come your way and make the best of things.
That’s what the Scottish Conservatives are doing: we are highlighting the range of opportunities available for business and for growing jobs. A stark contrast to the approach of the SNP, who just want to play politics.
The depreciation of the pound has seen a rise in tourism, which is vital for the Stirling area. It is quite clear from talking to the high-street business community across the region that tourism numbers have increased. We now need to implement the Stirling City Development deal that will put in place the additional attractions and amenities to support ambitious targets to increase tourism.
Exporters too have benefited from the fall in the pound and for sectors such as food and drink that will be of great significance as they look to expand exports into the fastest growing economies around the world.
There will be challenges ahead for the Scottish economy as we move into a new deal with our European neighbours but it is quite clear that Scottish business is prepared to show real leadership in driving our future economy.
The same cannot be said for the Scottish Government, however. The First Minister’s announcement at the SNP conference that she will put forward a draft independence referendum bill for consultation is an unwelcome distraction from the real work that needs to be done to grow the economy.
Again, the SNP has chosen to take the country back to yet more uncertainty and constitutional upheaval, whilst neglecting the fundamental issues such as education, access to mental health services for our young people and the structural failings in the Scottish economy.
If the SNP were truly governing in the interests of the whole of Scotland then they would be acting to address the underperformance of the Scottish economy compared to the rest of the United Kingdom. Figures released last week show that in the past year Scotland’s economy grew at just a third of the rate of the UK’s: 0.7 per cent compared to 2.1 per cent. This simply isn’t good enough and reflects the failure of the SNP’s economic policies in the past decade.
The SNP has significant new tax and spending powers that will determine the size and shape of the Scottish budget going forward. Public sector spending will now depend heavily on the performance of Scotland’s economy.
Unfortunately, this is a Scottish Government which is not interested in the economy. The SNP’s one clear priority is separation at all costs, something which the First Minister has made quite clear when she said that the case for idependence “transcends the issues of Brexit, of oil, of national wealth”.
More than 65 per cent of Scottish exports are to the rest of the UK, with the EU representing only 15 per cent of Scotland’s exports. It makes no sense for us to leave our single biggest economic trading partner.
The SNP said that improving education would be their number one priority. However, it has become clear that independence at all costs is their only priority. We now have a draft independence referendum bill but no sight whatsoever of a draft education bill at Holyrood.
I am available to discuss any issues that constituents may have and can be contacted on 01786 461200 or by email at dean.lockhart.msp@ parliament.scot.
The depreciation of the pound has seen a rise in tourism, which is vital for the area