Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - 
The event, attended by Banff & Buchan business representatives, was organised to give them an opportunity to hear SNP business and economic policies and to discuss the various issues affecting local businesses with Mr Stevenson and Mr Smith.
Speaking at the event Stewart Stevenson said;
"Banff & Buchan clearly demonstrates what can be done for the economy and for employment with SNP representatives who stand up for local business. Unemployment is now 1.3% which is about a quarter of the Scottish average.
"When the SNP won the Banff & Buchan seat in 1987, unemployment in the Peterhead area was over 1800. In January 2007 it was 350. That's still 350 too much but shows what can be done when we elect representatives like Alex Salmond who roll up their sleeves and fight to save local employment like Peterhead prison, Simmers of Hatton and, further afield, the former Buchan Meat in Turriff and 800 jobs at Fisher Foods in Fraserburgh."
Mr Stevenson continued:
"The SNP's policy is to cut red tape and reduce taxes for small and medium sized businesses to give them a chance to grow to become the future medium and large businesses. Our Small Business Bonus will abolish business rates for all businesses with a rateable value of £8,000 and below. This will not only give small firms the vital breaks they need to develop but will also provide more and better jobs for our area and indeed for Scotland in general."
SNP Euro-MP Alyn Smith added:
"The SNP are striving to release the true potential of Scotland's economy. We are a country rich in natural resources and full of entrepreneurial spirit. However, we are being held back by endless red tape and a cripplingly high corporation tax.
"In an independent Scotland run by the SNP we can gain the power to lower corporation tax like our friends in Ireland who have a rate of only 12.5% compared to 30% in the UK. Given the opportunity Scotland can join Norway, Iceland and Ireland in the arc of prosperity that surrounds her and become another prosperous, successful nation on the international stage."
