Labour has branded itself the party for business and growth, though the only thing they’ve managed to grow is fear in the markets. Business leaders are running for the hills, thanks to the threat of higher taxes on the horizon. Even Google’s former CEO Eric Schmidt confessed he “was shocked when Labour said it was in favour of growth”…
It’s hardly surprising, though, when not a single member of the cabinet has any real-world business experience. None of them have ever run or managed a successful private enterprise. Instead, it’s a cabinet full of career politicians, union apparatchiks, and those who’ve spent their lives in the warm embrace of the public sector. Guido has a breakdown of the numbers:
Reeves, as she often reminds the public, worked at the Bank of England. Scotland Secretary Ian Murray found event management business called 100MPH Events, though it’s been dormant since 2015 and currently has £11,618 in liabilities. Not exactly stellar business CVs…
The only cabinet member who notably tried their hand at business is Keir Starmer. His brush with “business” came as a student when he and a mate attempted to sell ice cream on the French Riviera—illegally. Not only did they find themselves not making any money, the illegal act actually saw Starmer’s mate get arrested. Not exactly a Dragon’s Den success story. It’s no wonder investors are running scared when the only cabinet member who’s tried to run a business ended up getting his collar felt by the rozzers…
In Henry Mance’s piece today for the FT, lunching with Nigel Farage:
“Splendido!” Farage says, when the drinks arrive; I suppose it’s a step to European reconciliation. We clink glasses, and he lights the first of two back-to-back Benson & Hedges. A few minutes later, we’re back downstairs. “Are you drinking? Good.” He orders a glass of Sauvignon blanc for each of us — not a bottle, “because it’s Lent” — followed by a bottle of claret, to have with our meal. They say Farage drinks less than he used to. They say a lot of things.”