An open letter to the people of Scotland from 150 business owners and job creators.
Opinion polls consistently show significant majority support for home rule, devo max or full fiscal autonomy. Whichever term is used, the definition of devo max is clear: all powers transferred from Westminster to Scotland with the exception of shared monetary policy, defence and foreign affairs.
Extensive new powers - as close to federalism as possible - were promised to the people of Scotland by the No campaign during the referendum and, if implemented, would provide the Scottish Government with the powers required to generate strong and sustainable economic growth, create jobs and increase shared prosperity. We support a progression towards full fiscal responsibility, transferring meaningful economic powers to Scotland, and then a staged implementation of full fiscal responsibility (home rule).
For generations, fiscal transfers from Scotland to the rest of the UK have slowed investment in economic growth in Scotland. As a result Scotland's economic productivity and participation are consistently low compared to equivalent small countries around the world. Full fiscal responsibility will free Scotland's economy from Westminster's centralised control, allowing the Scottish government to implement precisely tailored policies to help Scottish business compete in global markets, moving our economy closer to the higher levels of growth enjoyed by similar small to medium sized European nations.
The political debate in this General Election should be focused on how we boost Scottish growth with a full package of distinctive economic policies that match the needs of Scotland's economy. By doing so we can we attract added investment, create jobs and grow our economy faster than is possible under Westminster control. As a result, we will generate increased revenues to reduce the deficit through growth, whilst tackling inequality.
We also believe full fiscal responsibility north of the border should come with increased devolution for the other nations and regions of these islands. In the interests of all UK citizens, the process of moving away from centralised London control should start on May 7th.
All named signatories have signed in a personal capacity.
Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp
Founder and Chief Executive
Rob Aberdein, partner Aberdein Considine
Sandy Adam, chairman Springfield Properties Group Ltd
Lynn Adams, owner The George Bar
Andy Anderson, proprietor, Memo Publishing Services
David Anderson, Chief Executive AP Systems
Jillian Anderson, Director Kilpatrick Blane Services Limited
John Anderson, Director Hammur IT Services
Richard Arnott, Director Sintra Management Services Limited
Tony Banks, Chairman Balhousie Care Group
Muriel Barclay, Director Muriel Barclay Limited
Robin Barclay, Director R J Barclay Developments Limited
Scott Barr, Director Ecoheat Scotland Limited
Linda Barrack, Director Baby Bliss
Alastair Barron, Director Barron Wright Partnerships
Frances Barron, Owner Dessert Depot
Mark Barry, Director Taranis Flooring Limited
Lorna Bates, Owner Halymyres Farm & Stables
Ruth Black, Owner Anna MacNeil
Elizabeth Blair, Partner Reid Blair Solicitors
Eva Bolander, Director Bestla Design and Hayburn House Limited
Bill Borland, Partner Hell Bent Productions Limited
Phil Borland, Owner West Coast Corals
Nick Bowles, Director Web Craft UK Limited
Andrew Braes, Director Braes Livestock
Kenneth Braes, Owner Firm of K R Braes
Dorothy Breckenridge, Director C-N-Do Scotland
Arran Brown, Director 3D Drawing Office
Chris Brown, Director Lighthouse Projects
Karen Brownlee, Director Karen's Kitchen Buffet Service
Russell Bruce, Partner Diverse Marketing
Forbes Bryce, Director Freshwater Business Coaching
Bert Bryden, Director T-Shirtprinting Limited
Daryll Buchanan, Director Push Oxygen
Patrick Byrne, CEO Pursuit Marketing
David Cairns, Chairman & Managing Director Prisimtech
Bobby Campbell, Director Technology Contracts
Iain Campbell, Director Bally Grant Limited
Stephen Campbell, Owner SEC Joiners & Builders Oban
Sheila Candy, Director Forecast Sculptures
Joseph Cannon, Director Flava Coffee Company Limited
Anne Carson, Director Anne Carson
Mary-Anne Case, Owner Blackhall Framing Gallery
Michael Cassidy, Partner Christinas Homecare Services
Jim Chalmers, Director J Chalmers & Associates
Stephen Chalmers, Director Altogether Travel
Alan Clark, Partner Clark's Bakery
John Clark, Managing Director Belmont Communications Ltd
Keith Clews, Managing Director E F A Project Services
Chris Cook, Director Nordic Enterprise Trust
Samantha Cooper, Director 23 Enigma Limited
Claire Corridan, Director Nethan Valley Veterinary Centre
Bob Costello, Managing Director Sidlaw Executive travel(Scotland )Ltd
Alison Craven, Director Walker Craven Properties
Rick Curran, Director Wideopenspace Limited
Adam Davidson, Owner Bo-Concept Scotland
Morag Davidson, Director Indigospring (Scotland) Ltd
Alan Dickson, Director Bradshaw Nursey Limited
Robert Duncan Director HSC (Highland) Limited
Stephen Duncan, Director Designovation Consultancy Services Limited
David Dwyer, Director Inspire Web Development
George Elliot, Director MWB Recruitment Limited
Linda Ferguson, Director Fergus Neilson Limited
Alan Ferrier, Director of Operations I Win Scotland Limited
Adam Findlay, Managing Director Original FM
Morag Findlay, Director Ecrude Design Ltd
Athole Fleming, Managing Director Athole Design
David Fleming, Director Trinity Computer Consultancy Limited
Fiona Ford, Director Fords Daily Legal
Alison Forsyth, Director Forsyth Legal Limited
Mabel Forsyth, Director Pink Pig Cards
Alasdair Fraser, Director All Points North Press Agency Limited
Robbie Fraser, Director Pure Magic films
Philip Galloway, Director P G Couriers Limited
Alistair George, Owner Canongate Studios
John Gibson, Director Broxburn Properties
Mark Gillan, Director Skoosh Media Ltd
Mark Greer, Owner Art Hier Framing
Jim Greig, CEO Go Country
Alan Haggarty, Owner Offal Productions
David Halliday, Partner Halliday Campbell AS
George Hanlon, Director Double Image Designs Limited
David Henderson, Director The Poster Company
Gordon Henderson, Garden Centre Owner Foxlane Garden Centre
Alan Hogan, Proprietor Lochness Motor Homes
Richard Hosking, Director Richard Hosking
Rosemary Hunter, Director 101 Dimensions Limited
Lesley Hutt, Director Lesley Hutt Architect
John Innes , British Venture Capitalist of the Year & Venture Capital Chief Executive of the Year, former Chief Executive Amor Group
Rona Insch, Director Rona Insch Limited
Khalid Javid, Director KA Javid and Co
Keith Jones, Managing Director Jones Computer Consultancy
George Kelly, Director George Kelly Higashi Shotokan Karate
Alex Kinnear, Director MerVen
Alan Knight, Documentary Film Maker Alan Knight
Michael Lally, Director T&M Contracts
Alasdair Langlands, Director Langlands Health & Fitness Limited
George Lappin, Director Pinmar 1st Aid
Helen Lewis, Owner Garden Tamers
Derek Louden, Financial Director & Company Secretary ITP Solutions Ltd
Marion MacArthur, Owner Mondocellos
Allan MacDonald, Director Premier Card & Marketing Limited
Helen MacDonough, Managing Director Kennedy + Co Hairdressing
Cara Mackay, Business Manager Gillies and Mackay Limited
Marie Macklin CBE, Chief Executive Klin Group
Donald Maclean , Owner Business Cost Consultants
Nasim Malik, Managing Director GFS Mortgages
Rose Mapplebeck, Director Special Cats of Ayr
Cliff Mccabe, Manager Parkland Engineering Limited
Graeme McCormick, Managing Partner Conveyancing Direct
Alan McCusker, Director McCusker Graphics Media Limited
Ian McDougall, Managing Director McDougall Johnstone
Linda McFarlane, Director Reprografix Limited
Lorraine McKechnie, Director Protinam
Frank McKirgan, City Fund Manager
Michael McLintock, Director Adelp Financial Services
Joanne McNally, Owner Cunningcanis Sleekit Feline
Les Meikle, Managing Director Wise Property Care
Derek Millar, Director Treecad Limited
Raymond Moran, Owner The Harbour Fish Bar
David Morrison, Director Sangobeg Investments
Gerry Mulvenna, Director Moving Wifi Limited
Jil Murphy, Co-Founder Thin Red Line
Gary Nicol Director, V F M Scotland Limited
Gillian O'Neil, CEO 29 Studios
Kevin O'Neil, Managing Director 29 Studios
Gary Parker, Managing Director Ayrnet Marketing Ltd
Alastair Philp, Skipper of Fishing Boat, Nemesis BRD115
George Rae, Director Braemax Limited
Frank Rankin, Director I G Scotland
Fiona Savage, Director Fiona Savage Ltd
Brendan Semple, Director TLC Pharmacy Group
James Semple, Managing Director TLC Pharmacy Group.
Kimberley Shepherd, Owner Rock - A - Punk
Alan Simpson, Owner Minute Man Press Paisley
David Smith, Director David Smith
Gerry Strain, Director Document Solutions Ltd
Allan Strang, Director Allan Seal Trips
Gilbert Summers, Partners Scotland Tourism Solutions
John Swan, Director Battery Park Nursery
Alison Tait, Director ACT Business Services
Angus Tulloch, Edinburgh Fund Manager
Sarah Urquhart, Director Sarah Urquhart PR
Alan Waldron, Owner Stirling Bagpipes
Gerry Wallace, MD GEM Lift Services
John Wallace, Director John Wallace
Alistair Warwick, Owner The Art Of Music & The Typehouse
David Watson, Director Family Asset Protection (Scotland) limited
Alistair White, Director Brunord Limited
Rob Wilkinson, Director City Centre Rooms (Edinburgh) limited
David Wood, CEO Northern Oils Group
Alasdair Wylie, Proprietor Kettles of Dunkeld
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