Broadcaster ducks independence issue at Highland business bash
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BROADCASTER Andrew Neil steered clear of expressing his views on next year’s Scottish independence referendum during a visit to the Highlands.
The presenter of BBC shows Daily Politics and This Week was the guest speaker at the annual Highland Business Dinner, attended by almost 350 people at the Drumossie Hotel.
“He didn’t want to enter into that debate,” said Stewart Nicol, chief executive of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, which organised the event.
“He said he had nothing to bring to it and it was for the people in the room to decide because they are the electorate, so in that respect, he didn’t want to engage on that.”
However, the chamber’s president, Eleanor Neilson, touched on the political issue during her speech.
“Challenging times still lie ahead, not only in terms of a still changing economy, but also with regard to the sea changes taking place on the British political landscape,” she said.
“The debate on Scottish independence will, whatever the outcome, have powerful implications for the Highlands and Islands business community — and the chamber, which concentrates on building connections, has a critical role to play in raising awareness and advising on strategies for continued growth and success.”
The chamber will host two seminars, entitled ‘independence — the business perspective,’ next month.
Representatives of Yes Scotland will address chamber members on 12th June, while Better Together campaigners will get their chance to do likewise on 17th June. A venue for the meetings, which will be webcast, is still to be finalised.
The events are expected to touch on issues such as the fiscal climate, development of the economy, bureaucracy and what the business needs are dependent on the result of next September’s referendum.
“We are an apolitical organisation and we’re not taking a view one way or the other,” Mr Nicol commented. “We’re just trying to get it going in terms of the real core business issues, rather than politics.
