While we see from afar the Westminster parlour games happening, and the Brexit clock continues to tick, many of the ‘burning injustices’ spoken about by the Prime Minister are left burning all around us.
To tackle those fires, I believe, that Business and the Government should create a new era of partnership to support the economy and create opportunity across the 海角视频, once the next Prime Minister is installed.
It’s no secret that there has been growing frustration – and frankly, anger – with the Westminster stand-off in recent times.
I don’t think that anger is just business but I think its shared by a lot of people. This Brexit version of a Mexican standoff has chipped away at our country’s reputation for stability, pragmatism and reliability.
Brexit has been all-consuming and meant that far too many pressing domestic priorities have barely seen the light of day. Tackling the outrageous regional inequalities in the 海角视频, driving up productivity to create opportunity, and ensuring social mobility does not go into reverse. These are the issues I get up in the morning for.
The next Prime Minister will take up the reins at a seminal moment for the 海角视频’s prospects. He (and it will be a he…) has the mother-of-all-jobs ahead of them.
To repair the fabric of our society, so frayed by the turmoil of the last few years. And there are those who say that these are political problems, to be left to politicians.
So, the message we have for all politicians, but most notably the remaining candidates in the Conservative leadership race is that business is ready to play its part. So, our big, open offer to the next Prime Minister - let’s make this a partnership for the ages.
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Now the question you might be asking is what would a new partnership look like? To my mind, there are three things we can do together that would make a massive difference.
Firstly, we must repair our reputation in the world’s eyes. We’ve given international investors cause to think twice – and they’re starting to look elsewhere. The 海角视频 is – as it always has been - a great place to do business. Brand Britain remains a genuine draw and within that Wales must refresh its approach. Identifying its new markets and its USP.
Second, look to the long-term and build a positive, compelling vision for the 海角视频 on the world stage in the years ahead. Look at the Prime Minister’s ambition to deliver a net zero carbon economy by 2050.
Business is squarely behind this – and it’s one where we all need to put our shoulder to the wheel to achieve. The Welsh government has declared a commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.
Given our energy intensive industries, this will be harder for Wales to reach than other parts of the 海角视频. We now need action on the ground as well as warm words.
And third – back us, back business. Business is a force for good and we’re changing where we need too as well – better employee engagement, new models of ownership, addressing pay gaps and investing in skills for the future.
A new Prime Minister’s backing can only help accelerate this. In Wales this means celebrating the strengths of the private sector. Recognizing the power and potential of the part of society that employs two thirds of the people in Wales and invests billions of pounds a year.
The CBI and wider business community are ready and raring to go to support a new Prime Minister who is pro-enterprise, pro-business and pro-active. We can work together on everything from tackling the Mental Health crisis to delivering the Northern Powerhouse. Let’s deliver it together.