Scottish independence: FSB organise first debate

The FSB's Andy Willox wants a debate on business issues. Picture: TSPL

BUSINESSMEN representing Better Together and Yes Scotland will go head-to-head tonight in the first independence debate organised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Iain McGill, director of Harmony Employment Agency, will argue on behalf of the Better Together campaign, while David Cairns, executive chairman of PrismTech Group, will represent Yes Scotland.

The pair will face each other in front of an audience of more than 100 business people at Stirling Management Centre in the first event under the FSB’s “Your Business, Your Vote” campaign.

They will be joined by Stewart Hosie, the SNP’s deputy leader at Westminster, and Murdo Fraser, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservative party.

Andy Willox, Scottish policy convenor at the FSB, said: “There are more than 300,000 Scottish small business owners, all with a vote in next year’s referendum. Some, of course, will have already have made up their minds, but many have not.

“There are all sorts of business questions that the public debate hasn’t really explored yet.

“While the arguments about macro-economic policy, currencies and international institutions have ebbed and flowed, the practicalities around employing staff, doing your accounts and buying and selling goods have taken second place. But these are the questions small business owners are asking.

“That is why this event will allow both sides of the campaign to make their pitch to the small business community and allow Scottish entrepreneurs to ask the questions at the top of their list.”

Colin Mackay – the political editor at Bauer Media Scotland, the group that owns local radio stations including Clyde 1, Forth One and Moray Firth Radio – will chair tonight’s debate.