A BUSINESS group that supports Scottish independence has warned the SNP not to lose the “crucial balance between fairness and the creation of wealth” as it rebuilds its case in the wake of Brexit.
Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp, chief executive of Business for Scotland (BfS), said leaving the UK could be seen over the next few years as “the business opportunity of a lifetime”, and urged the party to support entrepreneurs, insisting he “won’t be slow to criticise” if the balance is lost.
BfS, which describes itself as a “party-neutral business policy think-tank”, represents 4,000 members and its board includes entrepreneurs Les Meikle, of Wise Property Care; Gillian O’Neil, of 29 Studios; Springfield Properties chairman Sandy Allan; and Tony Banks, founder and chairman of Balhousie Care Group.
The comments came after the SNP’s Westminster leader Ian Blackford said postponing plans for a second referendum gave the party the chance to discuss the “fundamentals” of independence.
He also said it would allow the party to refocus the campaign and offer Scots a left-wing alternative to Conservative rule.
Following the General Election, which saw the SNP lose 21 seats and the Scottish Conservatives gain 12 on a platform of opposing a second independence referendum, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she was setting aside her plan to hold another ballot before spring 2019, when the UK is set to leave the European Union.
Ms Sturgeon has, however, said it is still likely there could be another referendum before 2021.
Making a play for SNP voters tempted to back the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Blackford said promoting “fairness and equity” while demonstrating how the Tory policy is “harmful to Scotland” should be at the core of any new case for independence.
However, Mr MacIntyre-Kemp said that, with a hard Brexit on the horizon, the country’s business base must be supported.
He added: “The recent success of the SNP has been built on two foundations. First, the ability to balance being a left-of-centre political party that cares for communities, workers and their rights with an understanding of the needs of businesses and entrepreneurs.
“Secondly, they are the party of independence and, with the threat of a potential hard Brexit looming large, independence may well be seen within a few years as the business opportunity of a lifetime for Scotland.
“Fairness in society includes policies BfS supports, such as the living wage, because it’s fair and also because well-paid, motivated and happy workers are more productive.
“BfS will continue to remind the Scottish Government of the importance of that crucial balance between fairness and the creation of wealth, through supporting Scotland’s entrepreneurial business base, at all of our regular meetings and we won’t be slow to criticise if that balance is lost.”
The Scottish Conservatives criticised Mr Blackford’s comments, accusing the SNP of failing to listen to voters and “obsessing over independence”.
Shadow finance secretary Murdo Fraser said: “Despite voters sending them a clear message this year that they are fed up with them obsessing over independence, the SNP just aren’t listening.”
“It destroys claims from Nicola Sturgeon that her priority is anything but separation. People are crying out for the Scottish Government to start concentrating on improving our hospitals, schools and the economy.”
Scottish Labour’s economy spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “It appears Ian Blackford didn’t get Nicola Sturgeon’s memo that indyref2 is on hold, and he certainly didn’t get the message from voters that Scotland is firmly opposed to a divisive second independence referendum.”
However, SNP MSP Alex Neil said there was “no contradiction” between enhancing social justice and creating economic prosperity.
Mr Neil, a former health and social justice secretary, added: “Those at the bottom of society are among the people who would benefit most from independence, but we also need to attract top talent to Scotland and remember we are competing globally.”
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