Bill's Blog

A year tomorrow, September 18 2014, we face a momentous decision: should Scotland be an independent country?

It is a profoundly important moment in our national story. Debate and discussion, already pronounced, is set to intensify. 

It is vital that the concerns of business, and small firms in particular, should be fully and vigorously aired. 

Whatever the outcome, Scotland’s future prosperity critically depends on business investment, new company formation and the promotion of enterprise. 

Throughout this period, this website will be open to articles and contributions from both sides of the argument – and from that large constituency of those still undecided. 

The only restrictions we place are that submissions are topical, relevant to the Scottish business community and engagingly written. 

We already carry comment and articles from business organisations, MSPs and entrepreneurs. It is our intention to carry more such contributions in the coming weeks and months. 

Here’s where we stand. We favour an informed and empowered parliament. We support more fiscal powers for the Scottish parliament. We believe many decisions affecting our everyday lives as workers, consumers, business owners and investors are best taken locally. And we certainly want to see a strong Scottish input into policy discussion on fiscal and monetary policy and business regulation that remain determined at UK level.

We want to see Scots products and services flourish. To that end we believe a competitive tax and business environment is vital. We also believe relationships of respect and trust across the UK are central to our national aspirations and prosperity. 

 We are open on the issue of independence. We will respect views that come from outside as well as within Scotland. And we will be particularly attentive to the concerns of business and entrepreneurs.      

Please send your articles in!