WeDO 2024 General Election Business Hustings Breakfast – Wednesday 19th June

OPEN TO MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS

With the impending Westminster General Election taking place on the 4th of July, all political parties are vying for our votes. With the political turmoil of late on both sides of the border, this is arguably one of the most challenging times in modern politics. We have always hosted well-attended hustings in the lead-up to elections, as well as the Referendum, to give businesses in Scotland the opportunity to hear from the 5 main parties in Scotland.  The representative from each party puts forward their case regarding their manifestos, predominantly for business and the economy, however also covering wider issues.  The event is driven by questions from attendees and there will be ample opportunity to quiz the politicians with your key questions.

According to the latest Addleshaw Goddard Scottish Business Monitor, produced in partnership with the University of Strathclyde’s Fraser of Allander Institute in April 2024, a survey of around 400 firms from across the economy has revealed that ‘delivering long-term economic growth’ is their top priority, selected by 72%.  This was followed by ‘tackling labour and skills shortages’ (45%), ‘reducing UK business taxes’ (43%), and ‘investing more on infrastructure’ (39%).

The first quarter report also showed that all of the survey’s regular activity measures – sales, new business, turnover, employment, capital investment and exports – were in negative territory for the first time since the end of 2022.

Cost pressures continue to bite, despite falling inflation, with 83% of firms in Scotland seeing their costs increase over the last quarter, compared to 78% last quarter. A further 85% of firms reported that they expected total business costs to be higher in the next six months – up from 67% in last quarter.

Meanwhile, levels of new capital investment and export activity measures remain negative, although capital investment is not as negative as in late 2023.

In every category, the proportion of businesses reporting that costs were higher has increased compared to last quarter. The increase in the cost of employing people were the most commonly cited, with 77% reporting that total employee costs were higher and 76% reporting that wage costs were higher.

These results will undoubtedly be shared by many in the Scottish business community.  Join us to assist you in making informed voting decisions.

CHAIR OF THE PANEL

MICHAEL GLACKIN

Michael Glackin is an award-winning UK based freelance journalist who specialises in UK, European, and US finance and economics, and Middle East politics and economics. Michael’s journalistic output in a range of publications, which in the UK includes The Daily Mail, The Times (of London), The Sunday Times,  City AM, Realclearpolitics.com and The Independent on Sunday.

He is an occasional broadcaster on Middle East issues, and has appeared on ABC Television’s Nightline, BBC Television, National Public Radio in the US, BBC Radio and Irish Radio.

Michael was formerly Scottish business columnist and correspondent with The Sunday Times and News Editor of London financial daily newspaper City AM. 

THE PANELISTS

MURDO FRASER – MSP – THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY

Murdo Fraser is a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party politician who has represented the Mid Scotland and Fife Region since 2001.  He serves passionately on the Economy and Fair Work Committee and the Finance and Public Administration Committee.  He is the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Business, Economic Growth and Tourism

Before politics, Murdo Fraser grew up in Inverness and attended Inverness Royal Academy. He went on to train in Law at the University of Aberdeen before becoming a solicitor.  Murdo now lives in Perth with his wife and two children.

JOHN FERRY – THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PARTY

John Ferry was brought up in Airdrie and graduated with a degree in Economics from St Andrews University in 1998. He then worked as an oil and gas analyst before training to be a journalist. After a decade writing on financial topics, John founded media relations consultancy Greyfriar Communications in 2010. He writes regularly on Scottish politics and economics.

John was the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale in the 2017 and 2019 general elections.  He is the party spokesperson for Finance. John lives in the Scottish Borders with his wife and two boys. In his spare time he likes to hit the trails of the Tweed Valley on his mountain bike, and is a qualified mountain bike leader.

DANIEL JOHNSON MSP – THE LABOUR PARTY

Daniel Johnson represents Edinburgh Southern in the Scottish Parliament and was elected in 2016.  He is Deputy Convenor of the Finance and Public Administration Committee, a member of the Justice Committee and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business and Fair Work.

Daniel started his career working in consulting, specialising in the financial services sector.  He then ran several local businesses in Edinburgh, Paper Tiger and Studio One. Helping to run his family’s small businesses gave him direct experience of being a front-line retail worker. This lead him to campaign for, and pass through parliament, a members bill to protect workers from violence and abuse at work.  Daniel was brought up in Edinburgh and still lives here with his wife and children.

TOM ARTHUR MSP – THE SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY

Tom Arthur was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2016 as the first ever SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South. He is a Deputy Whip and has previously served as Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs; the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice.  Tom is the Minister for Employment and Investment.

Born in Paisley in 1985, Tom was raised and educated in Barrhead where he attended Cross Arthurlie Primary and Barrhead High School, before going on to the University of Glasgow where he completed a BMus (Hons) and MMus. Having had a longstanding interest in politics, he first became politically active during the 2007 Scottish Parliament Elections before joining the SNP in November 2009. He is a previous National Secretary of SNP Youth, where he modernised its constitution and represented the organisation internationally.  He lives in Renfrewshire with his wife.

Please note that a maximum of 3 tickets can be purchased per booking.

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