Report to the People
11th April 2005

The Wedding Business
They might have lost my invitation in the post, but I nevertheless sent my best wishes to Charles and Camilla on their big day.

It was certainly a different type of Royal Wedding.  And, while some complained about the soap opera which was played out over the arrangements, I welcomed it.  Isn’t it reassuring to know that, no matter who you are, wedding plans never go without a hitch?

As I didn’t need to go shopping for a new morning suit, however, I was able to accept an invitation to address the local Chamber of Commerce.

When I last addressed that august gathering, I asked them where the voice of business was on the big issues facing Inverclyde – and they didn’t speak to me for years.

It’s my belief that, when making a decision, the more points of view your hear, the better the quality of that decision.  So, undaunted, I had another crack at it.

Whether it’s the standard of education with which school-leavers and graduates are entering the labour market, or the quality of transport links, or the use of vacant land, I argued, it’s in everyone’s interests that the business community voices its point of view.

Did they agree, I asked, that business can help to get the regeneration decisions right – a move which would benefit the both the business and wider community?

I don’t know whether they’re ready to say “I do”, but we can’t leave these opportunities standing at the altar.

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