Independence - the business opportunity of a lifetime!

The nice people at Business for Scotland work hard to combat the fear and scare stories peddled by Better Together.

Most of Better Together's multi-million pound funding comes from outside Scotland, from those who benefit most from London's control of Scotland's resources.

Even the conservative Financial Times dismissed the Better Together donors as "Billionaire bankers, property companies and Conservative party supporters".

So, not at all representative of Scotland.

By contrast, Business for Scotland is funded from within Scotland's business community, by people who are making their lives and building their businesses here.

Business for Scotland people really do have 'skin in the game' for the success of an independent Scotland.

They have now produced this informative, short video, it is well worth a watch.

Its conclusions are worth more than all the propaganda funded by those seeking to keep control of Scotland's assets in London's hands.

• Scotland can more than afford to be independent

• Independence will make Scotland's economy stronger and its people better off financially.

• Control over Scotland's finances means we will gain the powers to create more jobs. 

• Independence also saves Scotland money currently wasted by Westminster governments. 

• This means we can invest in new opportunities for Scotland.

"Independence is the business opportunity of a lifetime."

Michelle joins Business for Scotland EK team

Yes East Kilbride is pleased to announce that Michelle Rodger, journalist and entrepreneur, is joining the team presenting the Business Case for Yes in East Kilbride.

Michelle will join Ivan McKee in presenting the benefits of independence for Scottish business.

The meeting takes place at 7pm on Tuesday, 27th May in The Bruce Hotel, Cornwall Street, East Kilbride.

Yes East Kilbride is aiming this event at the town's business community. All are welcome, whatever their position on the independence referendum, and Yes East Kilbride is particularly keen to hear the concerns of undecided voters.

Scotland has got what it takes

The following post is based on the article 10 key economic facts that prove Scotland will be a wealthy independent nation. You can read the full article here.

All the evidence demonstrates that Scotland is a wealthy nation. Scotland would be the 14th wealthiest nation in the developed world by GDP per head of population. Scotland’s wealth is also built on solid financial foundations, a diverse economy and substantial economic potential in new industries such as biotechnology and renewables, as well as current key sectors like food and drink, tourism and oil and gas

Voting for independence – to have control over taxation, regulation and global promotion – will give the Scottish government the tools to create greater opportunities for growth and a better business climate for Scottish business. In short, a Yes vote will improve Scotland’s economy. This will make people in Scotland financially better off.

1) Scotland has a rich and diverse economy

2) Scotland is a net contributor to the UK

3) Scotland generates far more tax than the UK average

4) Westminster has cost Scotland £64 billion in the past 30 years

5) Scotland has a lower deficit and lower public spending than the UK

6) Scotland has strong exports

7) Scotland’s oil fields remain a massive financial asset

8) Scotland has huge potential in renewable energy

9) Scotland is one of the top UK locations for inward investment

10) An independent Scotland can support Scottish business in tax, regulation, the labour market, innovation and global exports

Conclusion

There is overwhelming evidence that Scotland will be economically better off as an independent country. Even opponents of independence have conceded that Scotland can be a successful independent country.  Their own negative economic forecast estimated that Scots would be just £1 worse off a year.

In contrast every single Government Expenditure and Revenue report for the last 30 years – compiled with official statistics – finds that Scotland generated more tax per head than the UK.

If voters are convinced that Scotland will do better economically a majority support independence. Yet astonishingly around 34% of the electorate currently believe that Scotland would fare worse economically as an independent country; while 37% believe Scotland is incapable of independence. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest this. Not a single economic expert supports such a doom laden proposition.

This demonstrates that truthful economic information like the facts contained in this article will change the result of the independence referendum.

With the knowledge that Scotland will benefit economically from independence, business and citizens will move towards voting Yes as it is the only way to ensure progress for themselves, their businesses and their communities.

Scotland will vote for independence because the economic case for independence is unanswerable.

Original article Michael Gray for Business for Scotland

The business case for independence comes to East Kilbride

Ivan McKee

Leading pro-Business Yes campaigner, Ivan McKee of Business for Scotland, is coming to East Kilbride to set out the business case for a Yes vote in the Independence Referendum.

Ivan worked in manufacturing for thirty years, mostly for large companies. Eight years ago he launched his own manufacturing consultancy and turnaround company.

He has worked in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe, and currently has manufacturing businesses in Scotland, England, and Eastern Europe.

Business for Scotland hit the headlines recently when its challenge to the anti-independence stance of the Confederation of British Industry led that organisation to register as a pro-union campaigning organisation, and then, after much confusion, to deregister.

Yes East Kilbride is holding a series of meetings that will allow voters to hear the facts about Scotland’s potential as an independent country, and the implications for them. These meetings, and key information about the issues discussed, will be reported in this blog.

The Business for Scotland meeting with Mr McKee takes place in the Bruce Hotel, at 7pm, on Tuesday 27th May.

Ivan Mc Kee said

“All the data shows clearly that Scotland contributes significantly more to the UK than it takes out.”

“Scotland’s natural resources put us in a much better position to weather future economic storms than being tied to a UK economy which is too heavily dependent on casino-style financial services.

“After Independence, Scotland would continue to enjoy close trading relationships with the rest of the UK, as well as with other countries in Europe.”

Paul Mc Cartney, Convenor of Yes East Kilbride, said:

“We can all see the damage done to the East Kilbride economy by Westminster’s focus on London-based financial services.

“Only a Yes vote on 18th September will give businesses in Scotland the opportunity and the support to use Scotland’s resources to build a fairer and more sustainable economy for the 21st century and beyond.

“We look forward to welcoming representatives of East Kilbride’s business community to the Bruce Hotel to hear the business case for a Yes vote.”

Further reading.

Scotland's Future, Chapter 3 - Finance and the Economy - Scottish Government

Scotland's Future, Chapter 8 - Environment, Rural Scotland, Energy and Resources - Scottish Government

UK economic recovery on shaky ground - The Guardian

No campaign EU membership myth falls apart - Business for Scotland