Darling embarks on 'listening' tour

Jan 7 2013

Former chancellor Alistair Darling, leader of the Better Together campaign, is beginning a tour of Scotland, seeking the views of business people on the independence debate.

The Labour MP will attend events from Aberdeen to Dumfries where he will discuss the implications of the 2014 referendum with charities, veterans' associations and trade union officials.

Mr Darling said: "Over the next few months, I want to get to every part of Scotland and I want to hear as many views as possible."

He continued: "The people I meet and the views I hear will form a huge part of our campaign in the run up to the vote.

"This tour is about listening. It is about giving every part of our country the opportunity to shape the debate that will define our country for generations to come."

Mr Darling will begin the tour with meetings in East Lothian, Edinburgh and Fife on Monday.

Angus Robertson, SNP Westminster leader and the party's defence spokesman, said: "The SNP and the Scottish Government have regularly and recently met trade unions working in the defence sector and look forward to the positive contribution that can be made towards the Scottish Government's white paper on independence.

"Mr Duguid is a leading activist in the anti-independence 'No' campaign, however if he has any genuine and specific proposals to optimise the defence sector in a sovereign Scotland I look forward to receiving them.

"The UK track record on defence in Scotland is appalling, with a multi-billion pound annual defence under spend and the loss of more than 11,000 jobs in the last decade.

"A sovereign, independent Scotland will be much better-placed to make decisions about defence than Westminster."