SNP Backing Local Businesses and Community
Alyn Smith, SNP Candidate for the Stirling and Strathallan seat in the upcoming Westminster election, was pleased to welcome Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney to campaign in the constituency on Monday.
Joined by former Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford, Mr Smith and the First Minister knocked doors in the Whins of Milton, stopping to chat in the street with local residents. Many voters expressed their deep concern at the cost of living crisis, and agreed Scotland’s Parliament needed powers returned to deal with energy price rises and economic uncertainty.
Later in the day saw the FM and Alyn Smith visit Graham’s Family Dairy in Bridge of Allan. Speaking with Managing Director Robert Graham, concerns were raised over the impact of Brexit on the agriculture sector, soaring input costs and how new trading arrangements may affect the market.
Mr Smith said:
‘I was very pleased to welcome back the First Minister to Stirling and Strathallan, to a very positive reception on the doors in Whins of Milton. John brings a warmth and experience to the role that has reassured many voters across Stirling, and I’m proud to stand on our record and back our plan to support businesses and communities during this cost of living crisis.
‘When local businesses are given the right support and space to grow, they flourish – as we’ve seen in the case of Graham’s Family Dairy.
‘But I’m afraid Brexit has added a deep layer of complexity to our trading arrangements with European markets, and that kind of uncertainty is killer in a world where technological investment and confidence are key.
‘It’s only the SNP who are standing up for our European future in this election. Stirling, and Scotland, voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU and single market, yet Labour and the Tories remain silent. If elected as MP for Stirling and Strathallan, I’ll never stop fighting for closer links with the EU – and the eventual return of Scotland to our European family of nations.’