Malcolm Offord set the cat among the pigeons with his declaration during Scotland’s televised election debate that he owns “six houses, five cars and six boats”.

Business Editor Ian McConnell mulls a very important point raised by this.

Reform UK's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord set the cat among the pigeons somewhat last night with his declaration during Scotland’s televised election debate that he owns “six houses, five cars and six boats”.

This has certainly thrust into the spotlight the issue of the relevance or otherwise of the personal wealth of political leaders.

However, it also raises another very important point, from a business and economic perspective.

It is hardly surprising that many people do not appreciate the cut of Lord Offord’s jib given, to put it mildly, the nature of many of Reform UK’s policies.

Sticking to the business and economic aspects of these, Reform UK’s talk of cutting the minimum wage, with young people a particular target, is utterly lamentable.

As well as being hugely damaging from a societal perspective, it would take the money out of the pockets of those who would spend it, rather than squirrel it away, thus hampering aggregate demand and dragging on growth.

Meanwhile, we must remember that Reform UK grew out of a party that was a cheerleader for the UK’s hard Brexit folly, which has hammered the economy and weighed so heavily on living standards.

However, Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer’s response to Lord Offord on the issue of his personal wealth last night was, while maybe understandable to many, might be viewed by some as unfortunate in the context of the message it could send on the nation’s attitude to business success and wealth creation.

And, in this context, we should remember there are many wealthy business owners who have built........

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