No government can run business and create wealth. What governments can do is create the best possible conditions for wealth creation. So I believe the next Conservative government should set itself a simple economic objective: to make Britain the best place in the world to do business
Rt Hon David Cameron MP
Conservative Business Relations is a forum for allowing leaders of the business community to engage with the Conservative Party and discuss policy issues. Through a regular programme of sectoral and regional events, business leaders can discuss their concerns and ideas with key members of the Parliamentary Conservative Party. Recent events have included policy seminars for the industrial and manufacturing sector and a networking reception for the public affairs industry.
Launch of the Richard Report
On the 15th May the Conservative Party's Small Business Task Force, chaired by Dragons' Den judge and serial entrepreneur, Doug Richard, set out innovative proposals to overhaul the Government's business support system, which it describes as "complex" and "out of control".
Currently, a bewildering 3,000 business support schemes are being run by over 2,000 public bodies and their contractors at a direct cost of at least £2.5 billion. Around two thirds of that sum is spent simply on telling companies where to find advice.
The key recommendations in the report are to improve business information, advice and support including the development of a single national web-based Business Information System; improving access to finance for SME's; helping small businesses secure more Government contracts; and overhauling enterprise education in schools.
To read a full copy of the report please click here.
Mark Prisk MP visits Silicon Valley
Over the last week Mark Prisk MP, Shadow Minister for Business & Enterprise, has been in Silicon Valley CA, supporting a collaborative business mission for twenty UK web 2.0 entrepreneurs. Web Mission was organised by social entrepreneur Oli Barrett, and consultants Polecat and TechCrunch.
In this report Mark offers his reflections on some of the policy issues which have arisen from his trip.
An alternative vision for the economy
In a speech at the Policy Exchange thinktank today (14th April 2008), George Osborne blamed Mr. Brown for the economic problems facing Britain and outlined an alternative vision for the economy.
The Shadow Chancellor said the three pillars of Brown's economic strategy - stability, prudence and productivity - had "failed on almost every level."
And he attacked Brown for not setting aside money in the good years:
"Gordon Brown failed to fix the roof when the sun was shining, and the consequence for millions of families up and down the country is that taxes are going up just when the family finances are getting tighter."
George promised to "learn the lessons of Gordon Brown's failure" and make sure Britain is well prepared for economic challenges in the future.
He set out an alternative vision for the economy, with measures including:
- Giving the Bank of England greater powers
- Sharing the proceeds of growth
- Reforming the tax system
- Abolishing Stamp Duty for nine out of ten first-time buyers
- Cutting corporation tax.
He ended by stressing, "We will fix the roof whether or not the sun is shining." To view a full copy of the speech click here.
Business Seminar in Belfast
The first Northern Ireland CBR event was held on the 6th March at the Stormont Hotel We had an excellent Boardroom debate that focused on what the Conservatives must do to encourage entrepreneurialism in NI. Our Shadow Secretary of State, Owen Paterson MP, was our keynote speaker and participated in an excellent discussion on what business needs from the next (Conservative) government.
Speaking at the CBI Conference in November David Cameron said:
We're meeting at a time of considerable economic anxiety and uncertainty. But before I answer your questions, I want to give you an element of political certainty...
...what you can expect from a Conservative government, and what you can expect from me as Prime Minister. And I want to be absolutely frank with you today. You can expect a big change, because that's what our country and our economy need. Government has got too big and too bossy and a big change is required. Our national infrastructure is inadequate and a big change is required.
Our education system, the climate for enterprise, tax, regulation, public spending - in all these areas we're going in the wrong direction and a big change is required... and I want to show you today what those changes will be and what they mean for business. Read the full speech here.
Business Reception at the Pakistan High Commission
On Tuesday 13th November Conservative Business Relations held a business reception at the High Commission of Pakistan. Over 80 delegates from the business world were addressed by Caroline Spelman MP, Dr Liam Fox MP, Dominic Grieve MP and Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the Pakistan High Commissioner. Our next regional event will be on 4th December at the Egyptian Ambassador's Residence. For more information about the event at the Pakistan High Commission click here.