Building a “globally competitive economy” should be one of the main priorities of any government.
View email online | | | | | | | | | | | Mar 24, 2023 | | | | | | | | | | | Neil McIntosh | | Editor of The Scotsman |
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Hello from The Scotsman Frequently, I'm reminded how fortunate I am to be editor of The Scotsman - it's a job with plenty of responsibility, but also some delights. One such pleasure was this week: the chance to meet a large number of subscribers (and hopefully one or two we've converted to The Scotsman) at our Annual Investment Conference, held in central Edinburgh on Wednesday. It was a fascinating day, where the scale of the economic challenges facing us all - and especially investors seeking a solid return - were made clear. But there were also plenty of ideas about what needs to happen next, not least those from former Chancellor Alistair Darling, who I interviewed in an end-of-conference "fireside chat" (there was no fire, but plenty of chat). He told the conference the UK economy was only "limping along", and what was really needed was growth - and a plan to "get growth going again", starting with a trade deal with Europe. In our leader column that day, as it happened, we'd agreed. The conference also heard from entrepreneurs in the agricultural technology sector, covered in depth the lack of diversity in UK finance - and the opportunities missed as a consequence - and a range of alternative asset classes, including whisky. There was lots to take in - and, by the end of the day, it was clear there were plenty of issues for policymakers (and The Scotsman) to explore in the months ahead. Which policymakers, though - and, specifically, which First Minister? We expect to learn on Monday, after the SNP's voting for their next leader comes to a close. Doubtless, this weekend, there will be plenty of people willing to tell you who has won, but all those I speak to are somewhat uncertain: the expectation is that Humza Yousaf will become our next First Minister. He is the preferred candidate, the SNP establishment choice. "But..." so many add... And then they point out, in broadly similar terms, that there is a path to victory for Kate Forbes: Yousaf fails to reach 50% with first preference votes, and the second preference votes - where we expect to see Ash Regan's vote reallocated - go overwhelmingly for Forbes... and then she wins. Either way, keep an eye on scotsman.com or your inbox, if you're signed up for our news alerts, and we'll bring you breaking news of the decision and - of course - full reaction and analysis after the result is known. Before then, looking to the weekend, do keep an eye out for tomorrow's Magazine: the edition is themed around well-being, which we hope is well-timed ahead of the clocks going forward on Sunday morning. So we have leading yoga practitioners talking to Gaby Soutar, healthy takeaway food, and the best spas in Scotland. But don't worry - the usual arts coverage and wine reviews are present and correct too... we all find our way to wellness in different ways, after all. I hope you have a wonderful weekend - thank you for your continued subscription to The Scotsman. Best wishes, Neil McIntosh Editor, The Scotsman | |
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