Amazon is crushing small publishers, says PM’s ex-aide

AMAZON is “killing” small publishers to an extent that is “absolutely heartbreaking”, a former Downing Street adviser has warned, as he called on the Government to intervene.

Rohan Silva, a former adviser to David Cameron and George Osborne, said the lack of competition in the book market was “horrifying”, and allowed Amazon to dominate in a “desperate state of affairs”.

He argued the situation is now “grotesquely uncompetitive”, with small businesses feeling unable to speak out for fear of being penalised.

Mr Silva has launched a new book store in London, Libreria, styling it as an “Amazon killer” – a return to material books with a ban on mobile phone use in store.

Mr Silva, who left Westminster to set up as an entrepreneur, called on the Government to refer the issue to the competition authorities, saying it would “make a world of difference for small publishers”.

He said he felt compelled to speak out after researching setting up the bookshop and speaking to the small businesses he hoped to work with.

“The way in which they’re being crushed by Amazon is absolutely heartbreaking,” he said. “I’m aghast about what the Government and competition authorities have allowed Amazon to do, which is absolutely to screw over the small publishers who have no choice but to deal with Amazon.

“The Government and competition authorities have allowed them to become so dominant and stifle competition. It’s really horrifying.”

He added: “It speaks to how weak successive governments have been on competition.”

Mr Silva argued that a reduction in publishers and retailers would have an “awful, chilling effect” on Britain, with fewer voices heard in literature.

A spokesman for Amazon did not wish to comment yesterday.