Politicians should be ‘red-carded’ says former rugby star

Former Bristol rugby star and founder of So Fit Bath, Ollie Hayes, pictured, has launched a stinging attack on what he calls the “clowns in Westminster” for being “oblivious” to the struggles faced by small businesses.

He said those in charge should be “red-carded for the economic equivalent of a high tackle”.

It comes as official figures showed that the UK economy unexpectedly shrank in August, leading to fears of a recession. Small businesses across the country are worrying about increased prices as the cost of energy, rent and mortgages all go up.

The personal trainer, 32, who played for Bristol Bears, Worcester Warriors and Yorkshire Carnegie, said many small firms were struggling more now than during the pandemic. But he criticised politicians for being out of touch with those concerns.

Hayes said: “Small businesses in all sectors are being pummelled and yet the clowns in Westminster seem oblivious to the chaos that’s unfolding. “For millions of small firms, things are looking far more bleak now than during the dark days of the pandemic but the people running this country are totally out of touch. “Based on the verdict of the markets alone, the whole lot of them should be red-carded for the economic equivalent of a high tackle.”

Hayes founded So Fit Bath in 2019. He co-owns the personal training company with his family. The company also runs fitness bootcamps.

The UK economy shrank by 0.3 per cent in August, according to official figures.

It came as a shock, with analysts expecting it to stall but not shrink, amid rising costs for businesses and households.