Business in Kent 'doesn't need hung Parliament', says Shepherd Neame boss Miles Templeman
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by business
editor Trevor Sturgess
A Kent boss has warned that unless the budget deficit is slashed
quickly, with major cuts in state spending, the state sector will
shrink the economy.
Miles Templeman, director general of the Institute of
Directors, and chairman of Shepherd Neame, the Faversham brewer and
pub owner, called on the three main party leaders to spell out
their plans.
Tonight's debate focuses on the economy and is sure to provoke
fierce argument, with PM Gordon Brown, hoping to re-assert his
authority after yesterday's gaffe in Rochdale, by claiming his
record is strong, steering Britain through recession and global
financial crisis.
But his opponents David Cameron, the Tory leader, and Nick
Clegg, for the Liberal Democrats, are likely to attack Brown for
policies which they will claim made the situation worse.
They are likely to clash over the action needed to slash the
£167 billion deficit.
Business has tended to side with the Tory view that the deficit
should be cut sooner rather than later instead of the more measured
Government approach coupled with targeted investment.
Mr Templeman said that business was crying out for political
leadership that championed wealth creation.
Like many other business leaders, including several in Kent, he
is worried about a hung parliament that could paralyse
decision-making.
"If British business is to compete effectively in the 21st
century we need a fundamental root and branch reform of the
state.
"Government has got to get smaller and better. Unless we shrink
the state, the state will shrink the economy."
He added: "While political parties agree that the deficit is a
problem, there is little agreement on how it should be tackled," he
said.
"So it doesn't surprise me that so many business leaders are
worried about a hung parliament.
"The risk is that there will be no agreement on the nature of
public spending reductions, and that on this key issue a coalition
or minority government will be paralysed."
"We're a week from the General Election but we're still years
from bringing the deficit and the size of the Government under
control.
"If the truth be told, no political party is advocating the
scale of spending and deficit reduction we need, not just for the
next few years, but for the next decade."
Thursday, April 29 2010
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