Lothian 'powerhouse' to boost Scottish recovery

Published on Tuesday 19 April 2011 17:17

EDINBURGH and the Lothians were today hailed as an "economic powerhouse" which will play a key role in Scotland's economic recovery.

Scottish Labour finance spokesman Andy Kerr told a business breakfast organised by Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce that his party's single most important goal is growing the economy to create jobs and prosperity.

But he claimed the SNP's "obsession" with independence showed it had the wrong priorities and would damage Scotland's prospects of success.

His comments came as a survey of Evening News readers rated jobs and the economy the clear number one issue in the Holyrood election.

The survey also put the SNP well ahead of Labour for both the constituency and list votes, though 22 per cent had not yet decided how to vote.

Some 57 per cent said Alex Salmond would be best as First Minister.

Mr Kerr told the breakfast audience at Prestonfield House hotel: "The next Scottish Government should enable Scottish businesses to do what they do best - create jobs and prosperity. Scottish Labour understands the needs of business and we are committed to working in partnership to deliver economic growth for Scotland.

"Edinburgh and the wider Lothians area is an economic powerhouse and one that can really help jump-start Scotland as we emerge from recession.

"The SNP's obsession with independence gets in the way of supporting business and growth and their incompetence in claiming that an independent Scotland could have bailed out Scotland's banks has been exposed as fantasy."

SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon, who also spoke at the breakfast, underlined Edinburgh's importance. She said: "Scotland's capital is a key part of the picture when it comes to driving our economy forward. Over the last few years, Edinburgh has stood up well to the recession through undoubtedly difficult times.

"There should be no limit on the ambition we have for all our cities and, in a re-elected SNP government, our cities will be real engines of growth.

"Our cities should have a voice in government and that's why, under a re-elected SNP government, the Deputy First Minister will also be the Cities Minister. That minister will give cities a voice at the heart of government, working with them to pull together the people, organisations and policies we need to make our cities a success."

Scottish Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser was due to visit Lloyds Pharmacy in Stockbridge today to highlight his party's plans for free universal health checks for 40 to 74-year-olds.

He said: "We believe a stronger service on the front line of primary care, through early identification of potential health concerns, will enable the NHS to work with families and individuals more effectively in looking after their own health."

&#149 Edinburgh and Lothians - who's standing in your area?

• All the latest news, comment and analysis

• Visit The Steamie, our Scottish politics blog

• Election update: a daily briefing of the main stories from the campaign trail

• Follow our election coverage on Twitter and Facebook