Alistair Darling, chair of the pro UK Better Together campaign, was in Perth today to hear the views of the local business community on the Scottish constitutional debate.
The event, organised by Perth Chamber of Commerce and local MSP Murdo Fraser, was held in the Royal George Hotel and was attended by over 30 local business men and women.
The event is part of a tour of Scotland that Alistair Darling is currently undertaking in which he is holding meetings with a wide variety of groups and organisations.
Speaking about the event, Alistair Darling said:
"I am delighted to be in Perth and to meet with so many business leaders from a wide variety of companies that represent the very best of this area.
"What is clear to me is that people are crying out for more information on what separation would mean for our country, our economy and for our families. The SNP seem both unwilling and incapable of providing answers and instead want to try and convince people to break up Britain on the basis of their baseless promises, bluster and assertion.
"I believe that we are stronger and better together when we stand with our friends, families and workmates from across the UK. We should be celebrating what unites us as people and as a country, not looking for ways to throw up barriers or drive wedges between us.
"The hope that over the next two years people across scotland take part in the debate and fully examine all the issues. I want to hear what people have to say. Nobody should be shut out the debate or shouted down for expressing a view."
Murdo Fraser MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife said;
"It is a pleasure to welcome Alistair Darling to Perthshire as part of his national listening tour and it is clear from the level of interest from local businesses that people want to hear the arguments in this debate.
"It is evident that they are sceptical about the separatist case which is clearly unconvincing."