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The Pro Business Party?

I see that the CBI- the Confederation of British Industry- is a little irritated with the Conservative leader, David Cameron for canceling at short notice his address to their conference.

I am sure that they will be even more pleased to see that the Conservatives new pro-business policy includes considering a 35 hour week- a policy that seems to have added €100 billion to the French national debt since it was introduced.

Perhaps next year they should invite Sir Menzies Campbell. The Liberal Democrat leader now clearly leads the country's most pro-business party. After all the Liberal Democrats manifesto in 2005 called for deregulation, including sunset clauses, and a simpler tax regime including lower taxes on small business.

At a time when Labour are drowning the British economy with burdensome regulation and increased taxes, I am sure the fact that the Conservatives' promise more of the same will be noted.

In fact I see that UKIP have gained some support from the Conservatives in recent by-elections. Die-hard Tories seem to be moving out of Cameron's orbit. As a party, they may not win too much at the next Westminster elections, but if they were to get more than the kind of support that the Referendum Party once garnered, the Tory threat in key marginals may be weakened enough to severely blunt the Conservative attack.

The Conservatives may still believe that they will make gains from the Liberal Democrats at the next election.

Oh really?

With the Lib Dem poll numbers looking like tracking above the level of the 2005 General Election, and UKIP nibbling a little at the Tories- I will place a wager that the Lib Dems will actually make gains next time.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I think that you maybe right!
Anonymous said…
And of course, pro-business does not mean doing whatever business wants. LibDems will be a thorn in the side of businesses who seek to create monopoly positions or abuse power, so we shouldn't lose vote from non-business interests (although the current climate of anti-corporate feeling may turn even nastier)

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