The coalition's approach to business is broadly unified, but for how long?
2nd Dec 2010
"At a Westminster Advisers roundtable discussion this morning, we heard from Lorely Burt MP (Chair of the Lib Dem Business Committee), Miles Templeman (Director General, IoD) and Mark Littlewood (Director, Institute for Economic Affairs). They had come together with Westminster Advisers and the chief executives of twenty large businesses to discuss the coalition government's (and specifically the Liberal Democrats') approach to business.
The discussion was lively and at times controversial. Many delegates were concerned that the needs of business were not prioritised by the coalition. They were worried that in the drive for fiscal retrenchment the requirement for business growth was being forgotten. It was thought that while the coalition had succeeded in preventing business policy from getting worse, they had yet to really make things better.
What was clear was that businesses required a consistent and unified government to deliver stability and growth. While they were broadly pleased with the current direction of travel, they were concerned that electoral challenges would drive a wedge between the coalition partners.
Discussions like these are useful ways of bringing business representatives, politicians, think-tank directors and other interested groups together. These events always provide invaluable insights into the latest thinking and give business leaders early signs of what challenges and opportunities they may be facing.
The White Paper for this event is on our Events and Publications tab."