Ian McConnell: A very hard audience to please for new First Minister

These views have appeared to be dominated, certainly since the coronavirus pandemic and probably to a significant extent even before that, by disappointment around the business community’s desires, often put forward through concerted lobbying, not being granted.

One prime example of this is the annoyance in the hospitality, leisure and retail sectors that the Scottish Government has not granted them the temporary businesses rates relief of up to 75% given to these industries south of the Border by the Conservatives at Westminster.

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Of course, as with any administration, the Scottish Government has to balance the desires and requirements of business with the needs of others in society.

The general view among Scotland’s business community most definitely seems to be that it has not been prioritised significantly.

That said, others might argue that some of the big policy decisions by the Scottish Government, such as the Scottish child payment to lower-income families and a lesser tax burden for lower earners north of the Border, have essentially benefited business by putting money in the pockets of people most likely to spend it.

Some of the business lobbying at times leaves you with the impression that too little attention is focused on the need for people to have money to spend on the goods and services being offered by companies. It is as if this is taken for granted as the lobbying focuses on reducing the tax burden and cutting regulation.

Of course, some in the business community recognise this need for customers to have money fine well, and it is always good to hear the importance of people on lower incomes having money to spend being acknowledged by those company chiefs with a firm grasp of what makes an economy tick.

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Much is uncertain, of course, about what happens in the wake of Mr Yousaf’s resignation, although John Swinney is clearly in pole position to become the new First Minister.

What is certain is that the next First Minister will face a huge challenge in winning over the business community, assuming there is a desire to do so of course (and it seems highly likely there will be such a wish).

The business community was vocal last Monday about a need to prioritise economic growth.

It is not clear that the SNP has not been doing this, although it patently faces an enormous challenge in convincing business that it has been pursuing this objective.

Liz Cameron, chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said last Monday: “As we look ahead, the business community will seek assurances from whomever the next First Minister is to prioritise economic growth. We need to be confident that the Scottish Government is pulling in the same direction to support business, grow the economy and create jobs.”

Catherine McWilliam, nations director of the Institute of Directors in Scotland, said: “Business confidence is low in Scotland, and another change in leadership at government level will do nothing to remedy that. Our members appreciate consistency and follow-through from leaders, and with the appointment of a new First Minister comes the possibility of more changes at ministerial and civil servant level. The priority for the next First Minister must be to restore business confidence, and to create a stable operating environment to enable economic growth.”

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Tracy Black, CBI devolved nations ambassador, said: “While Humza Yousaf leaves office with our best wishes, firms will want to see the vacuum filled quickly to prevent further instability impacting business confidence.

“Whoever comes in as First Minister must put addressing Scotland’s faltering economy first. Without a competitive and resilient economy that prioritises investment, the ambition to deliver sustainable economic growth will fall short of the mark.”

It seems certain that business is going to remain a hard audience to please.

The SNP, in its opposition of Brexit for example, has proven to be far more astute on the economy than the Conservative Government has been for so many years. Having said that, some might not regard that as a high bar.

The Scottish Government has made some very sensible points about the importance of frictionless trade with the UK’s largest trading partner and free movement of people between the UK and the European Economic Area.

It has presided over strong foreign direct investment into Scotland, which surely indicates that much is being done right when it comes to education and skills, business and the economy.

What is clear, however, is that business remains unconvinced.

This is unlikely to be lost on the new First Minister.

That said, perceptions, whether they are justified or not, can be very hard to shift.