SCOTTISH Labour leader Anas Sawar visited four businesses across Annandale last Friday to hear of their challenges and opportunities.
He was accompanied on his whirlwind tour by South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth and Labour’s economy spokesman Daniel Johnson.
They started the day at the James Jones sawmill in Lockerbie then headed to Annan, where the Our Place restaurant was on the agenda, as well as Annandale Distillery and ECO Group.
And he also found time to sit down with this paper and discuss some local issues with editor Fiona Reid, including the dental crisis affecting the area, the Galloway National Park proposal, cottage hospitals and the effect on farmers of the planned Inheritance Tax Relief changes.
Explaining the reason for his visit, Mr Sawar said: “I am really determined that we think about the challenges facing the rural economy and what we need to be doing if successful in 2026 to really drive the local economy here.
“I am also really conscious of the fact that we have a parliament that sits in Edinburgh that actually feels really disconnected from our rural communities and from outside the Central Belt generally.
“I’m really determined we get out and about, meet people directly.”
On his visit to James Jones, he said: “It’s a fantastic business, an international business, that’s hugely important to the local economy. It also shows you there are so many, what people in the Central Belt would regard as hidden gems, but actually they aren’t hidden gems to the people that live in this part of the country. They are doing so much to drive the local economy and are leaders in international in terms of that sector.”
Mr Sawar says he is keen to partner with such big businesses, as well as high street retail and hospitality, to maximise the growth potential for Scotland.
He added: “The key message from them was ‘recognise we’re here, appreciate our importance to the local economy also, as well as Scotland’s economy and see us as a partner for growth’. And, if we have a genuine partnership we can achieve even more.
“I think that’s a fantastic principle for us more generally with all sorts of businesses and sectors.
“We want to be a government that does not view ourselves as dictating to local businesses or communities but working in partnership.”
Meanwhile, Colin Smyth was delighted to welcome his leader and said: “Being able to show Anas and Daniel the diversity of business opportunity in Lockerbie and Annan was great.
“It was good to highlight success stories in our region but also show how important it is to support rural areas.”
