Facts ignored today mean jobs lost tomorrow, says CBI chief
into how t h e U K c a n g row. Th e i r evidence is not inconvenient, it is essential to avo i d a n ideological approach to Brexit that could harm British prosperity.”
Stephen Martin, director-general of the Institute of Directors, added: “Business will always be a critical friend to whoever is in government. Their concerns should be listened to, not dismissed, by politicians. The message from business is simple: less antagonism and more pragmatism.”
In withering criticism, Lord Heseltine, former president of the Board of Trade, said he was “appalled” by comments he had heard from ministers “slagging off” business chiefs.
The ex-deputy prime minister, who has spent a lifetime in business and in politics, said: “If the Conservative Party stands for anything it stands for the ability to create wealth and raise living standards. To do that, you need talented, hard-working energetic industrial and commercial l e a d e rs . To s e e them slagged off day after day for telling the truth as they see it is a devastating indictment of the Brexit mania.”
Nicky Morgan, Conservative chair of the Commons Treasury Committee, stressed that being a party of enterprise was a core Tory value.
“That seems to have been forgotten by various senior members of our party who don’t seem to think it is business’s place to speak out on an issue that is affecting them hugely,” she said.
Ms Morgan revealed that a senior minister had recently commented to her that “business shouldn’t be making life difficult for us”. She said she rebuked the person by saying that a Tory government was “not supposed to make life difficult for them due to uncertainties about Brexit”.
The business leaders and parliamentarians spoke out after startling criticism of Airbus by Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who branded its warnings on Brexit as “completely inappropriate”. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has also reportedly previously said “f*** business” during the row over Brexit.
Mrs May today insisted that the Government would take on board the views of bosses. “A Conservative government will always listen to your voice and back you every step of the way as you help grow our economy and create more good jobs,” she was due to tell the gathering of chief executives.
“You create the wealth and the jobs that provide the backbone of our economy. Your innovation and creativity are vital ingredients in our success as a nation.” She added: “What’s true for businesses is true for nation states in a globalised economy — to stand still is to fall behind.”
However, with Brexit talks stalled, an increasing number of business leaders are now speaking out about the UK’s future outside of the EU.
Motor industry chiefs warned that UK car plants face “death by a thousand cuts” if Brexit hits their competitiveness. In a sign that it was already harming the economy, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said £347 million of investment was earmarked for new models and facilities in the UK in the first half of this year, compared with £647.4 million in the same period in 2017.