Business was silent in the election – it has to stand up and be heard
Well, there’s another vote that kept me up at night. Clearly people want change. And they want their voices to be heard. For me that’s because, despite all of the new benefits and challenges technology has introduced into our lives, people want two clear things – leaders with a clearly expressed vision for the future and social justice for all.
Jeremy Corbyn expressed his vision clearly at this election. I didn’t agree with everything he said – but I knew what he stood for. Ruth Davidson was the same – her energy, passion and vision shone through and she painted a new vision of Scotland in the United Kingdom. I suspect that, by speaking with passion and conviction, both leaders surprised themselves with the results they achieved. It is time for business to do the same.
Business is essential to the future of this country. Our “nation of shopkeepers” – big and small – are key to a thriving economy, to job creation and to the trade agreements that will make Brexit work. But the voice of business was not heard in this election. I think that was a mistake. Not to lobby for self-interested benefit – but to remind everyone of the power that successful business has to make everyone’s lives better.
We have the highest employment levels for generations with less than 5pc of our people out of work. Business pays the taxes that keep our public services running. We know the NHS needs more money. Where better to get that from than the taxes of thriving businesses?
And successful businesses give us credibility on the global stage and bring in investment to grow our economy further.
The critical nature of business in the lives of our families means that the lack of commentary from business during this election has been disappointing. Because good business also brings improvements in social justice. Gender equality and diversity should not feel like impositions from Brussels. Business should embrace diversity both because it produces improved performance and because it is the right thing to do.
Businesses have started to tackle mental health issues – a blight on our society that needs to be addressed for the good of us all. And good business invests in local communities to support specific causes that individual neighbourhoods need to address. So good business is good for society, and its voice needs to be heard.
It is, really, a leadership question. If we don’t speak up, then we won’t be heard. And we need to be heard now.
What would I be arguing for as a business voice?
A more certain future is key. Business hates uncertainty – it is impossible to plan. So resolving the current political situation with clarity and strong leadership is essential.
A voice at the table of the Brexit negotiations is crucial too.
And in the end I would be arguing that business can and should be the powerful engine of social good. We should strive for that every day – and shout about our successes and our brilliant people.
UK business is the best in the world. It needs a louder voice at the negotiating table to make our postbrexit, post-election UK the best country in the world too.