Strath businessman standing for Reform UK Scotland at Holyrood election

A Strathspey businessman has been named second on the regional list for the Reform UK Scotland party.

Les Durance is one of three candidates for the Highlands and Islands, along with Sandra Skinner who is top of the party list for the region and Kate Brownlie is third.

Mr Durance said: "The reason I am standing for Reform is the party's much needed policy on reforming the complex tax system. reducing tax to encourage entrepreneurship, establishing growth and reversing the ailing economy.

"I really do believe that this will benefit all in society."

A party spokesperson said: "Sandra, Les, and Kate have all lived and worked in the Highlands for many years and understand and are well-equipped to tackle the challenges that face the people of the Highlands and Islands.

"The trio, alongside dozens of fellow candidates across Scotland, are ready to stand up and fight for reform of a society that is no longer working for its people.

"To coincide with this candidate announcement, Reform UK Scotland is pleased to launch its first major policy platform – economic reform.

"It has been designed to support both a Scotland and a UK that are fit for the future, and has been crafted by respected City and Scottish economist Ewen Stewart, of Walbrook Economics.

"The idea is simple – low tax rates and a simpler tax system equates to a high growth economy.

"Covid-19 has made inevitable economic reform more necessary and more urgent.

"Scots currently suffer from the highest tax rates since the 1960s, ever-growing public debt, and failing public services – something has got to give."

Reform UK Scotland other key reforms include:

* Abolishing VAT on domestic fuel, making petrol and thus transport more affordable.

* Abolishing Air Passenger Duty, making flights cheaper and helping a devastated tourism sector recover.

* Replacing Scottish Land and Building’s transaction tax with a simpler, fairer residential stamp duty set at 0% for property and land valued at less than £750k, meaning no punitive taxes on those wanting to buy their own home.

* Abolishing the inheritance tax for estates that are valued at less than £2 million and allowing those who do pay tax on estates with a value greater than £2 million to choose whether to give this money to HMRC or a charity of their choice.

* Rewriting and simplifying the tax code from the current 20,000 pages down to 500 pages, making it easier for people to understand what taxes they are bound by.

Leader of Reform UK Scotland Michelle Ballantyne said: “Scotland badly needs a Covid recovery plan that secures jobs and restores public services – which means rebuilding our economy and generating economic growth in the private sector.

“Everyone wins with faster growth. Our particular focus is on the lowest paid, the self-employed, SMEs and entrepreneurs. These are the bedrock of our economy, who will determine its future success. This is the first of a series of bold, reforming plans by Reform UK. More will follow in due course on other vital issues.”

The public can view the economic proposals in full here

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