There is surely much to consider for the SNP and Labour in the findings of a major poll of Scottish business leaders by The Herald, writes Ian McConnell.

What do the findings tell us about what business leaders are thinking as the Scottish Parliament election looms? What do they think about the performance of the Scottish Government?

There is surely much to chew over for First Minister John Swinney and his government in the findings of a major poll of business leaders by The Herald, as the Scottish Parliament election looms.

And there should also be much to consider for Scottish Labour, notwithstanding the fact the questions asked related specifically to the Westminster government and to Mr Swinney’s administration.

So what do the findings tell us about what business leaders are thinking as next month's Scottish Parliament election looms?

Businesses obviously do not have a vote.

However, they do tend to make themselves heard very loudly when it comes to expressing views on government policy and how this affects them and the economy.

And, of course, individual business leaders have a vote just the same as everyone else. Sometimes, perhaps naturally, their personal political beliefs come to the fore when asked for a view from a business perspective. That said, business leaders are able to offer a valuable view from the coalface which politicians should heed, even if for very good reasons they cannot accede to every demand.

Returning to the poll, conducted in conjunction with the Institute of Directors in Scotland, it was a real mixed bag from a Scottish Government perspective.

Starting with one big plus for the SNP, and by extension a negative for Labour as a whole even though the question related to Westminster, the poll revealed a view among business leaders north of the Border that the Scottish Government is doing a better job on business and the economy than the UK Government.

Given the somewhat prickly attitude of business towards the Scottish Government in recent........

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