\n He said: \u201cThese are serious times. And as we look ahead to the Scottish Parliament elections next year, the message from business is clear: please do not let the hurly-burly of an election destroy the close collaboration between the two governments that is needed to deliver investment.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cPolitics is the art of the possible. But it is the task of great politicians, grown-up politicians, politicians of consequence, to make the necessary, possible. But it will need a fierce sense of urgency, an unwavering focus on getting infrastructure built and investment deployed.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Soames added: \u201cGovernments north and south of the Border can disagree on many things, but they must make, and keep, common cause when it comes to building out the critical national infrastructure which will drive growth and increase prosperity for Scotland and for the United Kingdom.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Flagging what he describes\u00a0as Scotland\u2019s historic role as a \u201ccatalyst for the United Kingdom\u2019s fortunes\u201d, Mr Soames is arguing that excessive politicking risks squandering Scotland\u2019s enormous economic potential including \u201cnatural energy resources that make our competitors green with envy.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n Commenting on Scotland\u2019s economy ahead of the Scottish Parliament election, Mr Soames said: \u201cIn the words of the song, whether we take the high road, or the low road, the road to growth for the United Kingdom runs through Scotland.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThroughout history Scotland has been a catalyst of the United Kingdom\u2019s fortunes, whether it was the Scottish Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, or the prosperity brought by the North Sea<\/a>. And now with BAE Systems\u2019 \u00a310 billion deal to build frigates – evidence, if any was needed, that world-class shipbuilding is not a tale of the past, but a promise of the future.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \n He added: \u201cLooking ahead, Scotland can be that catalyst for the UK\u2019s growth again. Natural energy resources to make our competitors green with envy. World-class universities pushing the boundaries of knowledge and research. The best-educated workforce in the UK.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n \u201cBut these advantages need good government to turn them into increasing growth and prosperity. To go down that road will take trust and collaboration between politicians and institutions; between Holyrood and Westminster; and between governments and business.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \n Read more<\/strong>\n<\/p>\n \n Mr Soames highlighted the CBI\u2019s opposition to the hike in employers\u2019 national insurance contributions which was announced in Labour\u2019s Budget on October 30 last year and took effect from April 6.\n<\/p>\n