Labour is ‘winning the argument’ on business against the Tories as Keir Starmer woos firms, admits ex-CBI boss Paul Drechsler – who was David Cameron’s ‘skills tsar’
- Ex-CBI boss Paul Drechsler says Labour is ‘winning the argument’ on business
- He claims that firms across Britain are being ‘wooed’ by Sir Keir Starmer’s party
Labour is ‘winning the argument’ on business against the Tories, a former boss of the Confederation of British Industry has admitted.
Paul Drechsler, who was also once ex-prime minister David Cameron’s ‘skills tsar’, claimed that firms across Britain were being ‘wooed’ by Sir Keir Starmer’s party.
In an article for the Independent website, Mr Drechsler noted a ‘seismic change’ within boardrooms as company bosses look towards Labour with ‘optimism’.
The Irish businessman, who is now chair of the UK branch of the International Chamber of Commerce, acknowledged this ‘would have seemed impossible’ for the party under ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Both Sir Keir and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves last month attended the World Economic Forum in Davos as they continued their charm offensive towards big business.
Mr Drechsler credited the pair for their efforts but also pointed to ‘errors’ made by the Conservatives while in power.
Labour is ‘winning the argument’ on business against the Tories, said Paul Drechsler – the former boss of the Confederation of British Industry
Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves last month attended the World Economic Forum in Davos as they continued Labour’s charm offensive towards big business
‘Rishi Sunak is patently a decent, trustworthy leader who appears to respect law and order and wants fiscal responsibility,’ Mr Drechsler wrote.
‘As the first Asian-British prime minister, he is making history – but he is struggling to retrieve his party from the errors of his predecessors.
‘The Conservatives are not just losing the argument; Labour is winning it. Companies up and down the country are being wooed.’
Mr Drechsler admitted, as an appointee of Mr Cameron as chair of the Skills Funding Agency, he made his assessment ‘with no great pleasure’.
‘But Labour have set about convincing business that they are encouraging entrepreneurs and enterprise (and, whisper it quietly: profit),’ he added.
‘There is a sense of dramatic change in many boardrooms and corridors of power. I am hearing that CEOs of big high street firms are starting to talk with warmth – and even optimism – towards Labour.
‘This is a seismic change. When I talk to business leaders now, for the first time in 20 years, the conversation turns to what Labour might do with business.
‘Whereas before this might have been about mitigating damage, now it is far more positive – even reassuring.’
As for the Tories’ chances of winning back the support of bosses, Mr Drechsler continued: ‘Too much has happened that can’t be undone or easily reversed or forgotten by the Conservative Government.’
His article is a fresh blow for Mr Sunak as he attempts to turn around the Tories’ fortunes, with Labour continuing to hold a huge lead in opinion polling.
The latest poll from Redfield & Wilton Strategies showed the Conservatives are 21 percentage points behind Labour – albeit this was five points less than the previous week’s survey.
Yesterday, a leading businessman quit the Tories after nearly 40 years over its attitude to business and pledged his support for Labour.
Iain Anderson, founder of the Cicero public relations group, claimed the Conservatives are ‘not the party it used to be’ and revealed his backing for Sir Keir.
He left after 39 years as a Tory party member and less than 18 months since he was appointed a Government ‘LGBT business champion’ by Boris Johnson.
Mr Anderson claimed the Tories’ approach seemed to reflect Mr Johnson’s ‘f*** business’ attitude over Brexit.
He also accused the Tories of planning to push a ‘culture war’ in the lead-up to the next general election.
Mr Anderson is chair of the trustees of Stonewall, the LGBTQ+ campaign charity.
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