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9th March 2009
Annnabel Goldie On Deeside
 Scottish
Conservative Party Leader, Annabel Goldie MSP, was on
Deeside on Friday to see how the recession is hurting
smaller businesses, and to visit two rural business success
stories in the area.
Miss Goldie was accompanied by North East
MSP Alex Johnstone, and local council candidate Jo Pick.
Miss Goldie met with local brewer Rob James, who has
recently moved his business from his home in Lumphanan to a
new building at the Deeside Activity Park at Dess.
The visitors heard how Mr James’ background
as an archaeologist had lead him to name his trademark
“Macbeth” beer in honour of the early Scottish King’s links
with Lumphanan, where he was fatally wounded in 1057.
As well as explaining the brewing and
distribution process, Mr James set out his plans to expand
his production and market his product further afield in
years to come but also expressed his concern over the
regulation and “red tape” which he has encountered along the
way.
During their visit, the Conservative
politicians also met with Deeside Activity Park owner, Ken
Howie, who explained some of the difficulties he has faced
as he took the Government’s advice to “diversify” away from
traditional farming, only to discover that Government
itself, at every level was placing barriers in his way. Mr
Howie, who is now a significant employer in the area,
thought more could still be done to cut the burdens on
smaller rural enterprises.
Following the visit, Miss Goldie spoke at a
lunch in the Banchory Lodge Hotel where eighty guests heard
her talk about the Scottish Government and the way she has
influenced its thinking, saying:
“Four years ago, I was the first to suggest
that coalition Government had failed us and that a period of
minority administration would be more effective. I said
clearly that the Conservatives would work with a minority
Government, on an issue by issue basis to implement
Conservative policies and improve the government of
Scotland. Now, nearly two years into that Government, I
believe we have achieved many of our objectives and proved
that positive change is possible.”
Speaking after the visit, fellow MSP and
local Conservative candidate, Alex Johnstone said:
“I am delighted that Annabel Goldie has been
able to visit Deeside and meet with some of the people who
are making this area into a business success story and
swimming against the tide of recession. I am also
confident that the work which she and I have done together
in the Scottish Parliament to reduce the barriers to success
for small businesses is paying dividends for businesses here
on Deeside.”
Picture shows Rob James with Annabel Goldie,
Alex Johnstone and Jo Pick at the brewery.
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