Fraser vows to launch new forums

SCOTTISH Conservative leadership candidate Murdo Fraser has promised to launch policy forums to give business leaders a future say in the party’s policies, if he is elected to the post.

Mr Fraser said business leaders, voluntary groups and charities would all be invited to help come up with fresh policy ideas for the party.

He said that one of the main reasons for the move was to give business leaders a greater say on policy, amid claims of discontent about controversial plans by the SNP government to introduce a supermarket tax.

Mr Fraser, who wants to launch a breakaway centre-right party in Scotland, said: “There’s a strong feeling in the business community by many who feel left out of decision-making on issues such as the retail levy.

“I am keen that our new party reaches out to different groups as we develop policy over the coming years. I have already set out the broad aims and values of our new party, but recognise the need to engage with people outside, as well as inside, the party as we put together a coherent policy programme to challenge the centre-left consensus in Scotland of Labour and the SNP.”