Local Businesses Sign Newspaper Statement Backing SNP

Local business people from Banff & Buchan are among one hundred business supporters who have signed a statement published in national newspapers backing the Scottish National Party.

The full-page advertisements state: " Scotland can be more successful. That is why we are supporting Alex Salmond and the SNP on May 3."

The SNP's business supporters range from household names and internationally-respected business leaders - such as Kwik-Fit founder Sir Tom Farmer, former Royal Bank of Scotland chairman Sir George Mathewson, Stagecoach boss Brian Souter and ex-chief executive of Scottish Enterprise Crawford Beveridge - to those nurturing growing businesses from every sector of the economy and from all around the country.

Local business people who have signed the statement include:

Paul Allan, Murdoch Allan & Sons
Euan & Paul Beaton, Macduff Shellfish
Les Taylor, Les Taylor Contractors
John Buchan, Skipper/Owner, Fairline

To coincide with publication of the statement, Sir Tom Farmer issued the following message:

"The SNP have laid out plans for a lean and light government and strong proposals to grow the economy. I fully support the need for progress and the 3 May election gives us the opportunity to bring this about.

"I want to see Scotland go forward and the next Scottish Parliament must have the vision and willingness to work with everyone – business people and the wider community – to ensure Scotland prospers.

"I have come to the conclusion that the SNP led by Alex Salmond has the ability and the proposals to take Scotland forward, and they have my full support and my vote."

SNP candidate for Banff & Buchan, Stewart Stevenson , welcomed the support of the business people both locally and nationally. Mr Stevenson said:

"This is a hugely significant moment in the Scottish election campaign. The SNP are winning the debate on the Scottish economy, just as we earning the trust of the people to win the election.

"The SNP's plans for the economy – including freeing 120,000 businesses from the burden of rates, and reducing them for 30,000 more, to allow them to grow and provide more and better paid jobs – will help make Scotland flourish.

"It's time for a more successful Scotland. It's time for the SNP."