Scotland gaining independence from the United Kingdom would be a bad move, according to a leading South Holland businessman.
Phil Scarlett is president of the Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce and believes a break-up of the union would be bad for the “fragile” recovering economy.
Voters will have their say in a referendum on Thursday, September 18.
It’s likely to be a close-run poll with recent surveys producing differing predictions on whether the independence campaign, led by First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond, will beat Better Together, backed by UK Prime Minister David Cameron.
Mr Scarlett spent 15 years north of the border as a retail director for John Menzies and does regular business in Scotland with his consultancy firm, The Edge. And his wife Anne, who is a partner in the firm, is Scottish.
Mr Scarlett said: “I understand why there’s a feeling that independence would be better.
“When I lived in Scotland, everything seemed to be London-centric, so I can understand people not wanting that.
“Having said that, I take the view that there’s a real concern that this (independence) hasn’t been thought through properly by Alex Salmond, who has a limited time in political life.
“He won’t be in power when the effect of Scotland going alone takes effect – he won’t be in charge to pick up the pieces.”
Mr Scarlett says economic growth is “fragile”, evidenced by downward movements in the stock market this week.
“A split in the union will give a negative effect,” he said. “Up until now, like many, I was of the opinion that this (independence) wasn’t going to happen but now I’m getting really quite concerned.”
Mr Scarlett said his wife feels a little aggrieved that as a native Scot she doesn’t get a vote, yet other nationalities residing there do.
