The National Wealth Service

So, what do you think of it so far?  With a distinct lack of cohesion and what appears to be “off the cuff” announcements I’m a little underwhelmed  and concerned with what I’ve seen of the election campaigns so far.

From a business perspective I’m more convinced than ever that our political leaders just don’t get it. Last week after the 7 way Leaders “Debate” I tweeted a question around whether business owners felt short changed by what they had just witnessed.

For nearly two hours the 7 leaders struggled to answer the 4 questions posed from the audience.  The bog standard issues cropped up again and again, many irrelevant to the actual question,  with the protagonists seemingly more intent on delivering the best soundbite.  Some people have blamed the format – I think the format was right. It was the content that was poor.  I think the business community was, once again, completely sidelined  and taken for granted.

Things don’t seem to have changed much this week either.

My job at the Chamber means that I work to and promote a pro-business agenda, irrespective of party politics. That’s finding out from businesses what they need to grow, develop, increase profitability, employ more people and, yes, play a responsible role in the community (including paying taxes that are due). Lets just think about this for a minute. The people who set up and run businesses in this country are the wealth creators and the job makers. Without them and their employees how would money be raised to pay for the NHS, Trident subs and everything else that forms the ammunition in each party’s election campaign armoury?

Rightly, when issues around the National Health Service get raised, especially at election time, feelings run high across the political spectrum.  Depending on your opinion it’s something that should be protected or modernized or both – but it’s an issue that gets people active and prompts a response.

I think it’s time we had the same response when business issues get raised – or more accurately get ignored. The people that own, run and work in business are the UK’s National Wealth Service – put simply they fund government. We shouldn’t forget that and neither should the politicians. Our collective task is to make sure they don’t.

If you want to get involved and have your say as part of the Chamber’s election activity post a comment below or visit the Election 2015 page to find out more information.