A LORD has urged business people in Scotland to “get off the sidelines” in the run-up to the EU referendum on June 23.
Ming Campbell, now Baron Campbell of Pittenweem, said it was vital that firms in Scotland make their concerns heard over a potential exit and emphasise the benefits of continuing EU membership.
Lord Campbell, who is leading the drive by the European Movement in Scotland for the country to remain in the EU said the Scottish business community has a major role to play in the debate, especially following analysis by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce which found he country’s economy as on a ‘knife edge’ between growth and recession.
Official figures show that unemployment in Scotland rose by 20,000 between December and February to stand at 171,000. Meanwhile, more than 330,000 Scottish jobs were found to be dependent on EU exports.
The former Lib Dem leader said:“It is vital that Scottish businesses get off the sidelines and ensure that they raise their concerns over an exit and highlight what the bigger picture of our EU membership means to them.
“As part of the largest single market in the world, our businesses are able to trade freely across the 28 nations of the EU and we are a focus for inward investment, in part due to our membership of the EU.
“With the vote so close across the UK, Scotland could hold the key to the outcome of this referendum and it is vital that all who recognise our future as EU members stand up and be counted.”
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