Brexit deal will harm economy
Each year on November 30, Scots at home and abroad mark Saint Andrew’s Day.
Saint Andrew’s story been long associated with that of Scotland. After his death, Andrew’s bones were revered by Christians and the Greek Monk St Regulus had a vision that he should take some of these bones or relics to “the ends of the Earth”. He took them north but was shipwrecked in Fife, beginning the association between Scotland and its future national saint.
Today St Andrew’s societies provide a worldwide network for the Scottish diaspora and those with an association to Scotland. That network provides very real opportunities to develop trade links at a time when such connections are absolutely crucial. It also presents a platform to promote our tourist industry, which is worth so much to our national and local economy.
The people of Scotland have a world-renowned reputation for friendliness and inclusivity, and to celebrate our national day this year, I am backing the #MakeSomeonesDay campaign which presents a positive, inspiring opportunity for all of Scotland, in all our diversity, to celebrate the inclusive, outward-looking and compassionate spirit of our nation - by helping others.
This year we can all show the best of what it means to be Scottish by each of us doing something small to #MakeSomeonesDay. If each of us does something kind for someone else, together we can make a big, positive impact for the benefit of the whole of Scotland. You can find out more information about the initiative at www. scotland.org/events/ st-andrews-day.
•Every year I back the Small Business Saturday Campaign, which aims to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and account for 99 per cent of all businesses across the country, supporting jobs and growth in our communities as well as providing an invaluable service to consumers.
Stirling and Clackmannanshire has over 5000 brilliant independent, businesses, each offering something unique and special, and it’s important that we support them in a market that’s increasingly dominated by the big players.
That’s why I would encourage starting your Christmas shopping by sampling the delights on your doorstep.
•Last week Theresa May agreed her proposed deal regarding Brexit with the European Union. However, the reality is the supposed ‘deal’ she has reached satisfies no-one and likely can’t command a majority in the House of Commons.
It takes Scotland out of the European Union against our democratic wishes, it removes us from the single market against our economic interests, and it would put us at a competitive economic disadvantage compared with Northern Ireland.
The only thing it guarantees is years of damaging uncertainty, which will cost jobs and hit living standards and, by ending freedom of movement, will make it harder to attract the staff we need for our NHS.
That is why I firmly believe that Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are right to remain focused on calling for a cooperative alternative for the whole UK.
We must challenge the lie that there is no alternative and we must strive for better than Theresa May’s frying pan of a bad day deal or fire of a no deal offering.