Scottish independence: Ex-Tory donor John McGlynn set to vote yes

By ANDREW WHITAKER
Published on 11/06/2012 00:00

SCOTTISH businessman and former Tory donor John McGlynn has said he is likely to back independence to get more economic powers for Holyrood if there is no third option on the ballot paper.

Mr McGlynn, founder of the car parking firm Airlink, said the Scottish Parliament needed more fiscal autonomy to boost the economy and create jobs.

He said: “If a stronger-powers option is not included in the 2014 referendum I, like many others in the business community, will most likely come to the conclusion that the worst of all options is the status quo and back independence.”

The tycoon was a Tory donor until last year and his companies have donated £50,000 to the party since 2009. His comments echo similar interventions by other leading businessmen, such as Sir Tom Farmer, the founder of Kwik-Fit, and Jim McColl, chairman of Clyde Blowers.

SNP MSP Chic Brodie said: “This is a positive contribution to the debate from another leading businessman. More and more people are coming to the view that Scotland voting ‘Yes’ to independence is the only way to get the economic and job-creating powers this country so desperately needs.

“The anti-independence parties speak about more powers short of independence, but if they don’t take the opportunity to put something concrete on the table it will only encourage more people to vote ‘Yes’ .

“This intervention from a Tory donor puts huge pressure on [party leader] Ruth Davidson. The fact is, our leading businessmen want something more than just a promise of jam tomorrow – they want to see real fiscal powers being proposed.”