The Forum of Private Business – a dedicated small business support group – is urging UK’s politicians to recognise the country’s economic strength in relying on its five million small businesses.

Last week’s general election resulted in a ‘hung Parliament’ with no single party achieving the 326 seats needed to gain the majority – the Conservative party clinched the most seats with 318 while the Labour party secured 262 seats.

Theresa May is currently negotiating with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) – which won 10 seats – to form a coalition in commanding a majority in the House of Commons and push for “a successful Brexit deal”. 

Ian Cass, CEO of the Forum, wants the business sector to be the government’s top priority in the wake of small firms facing a period of increased ‘instability and uncertainty’ due to the election’s inconclusive results.

He comments: “The voice of small business has been completely ignored during the election campaign, with both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn both demonstrating that they have no real understanding of the critical role played by businesses to the importance to the UK, both in economic contribution and job creation.

“Businesses are tired of being paid lip service to. We have over five million business leaders in this country. Young and old, North and South, Remain and Leave, who have their feet firmly on the ground and need, once and for all, to be taken notice of, as the negotiations with Europe are progressed.

He further adds: “With such a divisive split in the UK political scene, it is time for business to take control of the Country’s future. Not just big business with their sights purely on shareholder value, but small businesses who live and breath common sense survival in a changing world.

“In pushing for a proper, long term, Small Business Cabinet Minister, the Forum stands ready to support the government and its members in creating a strong and stable future UK. This will not come from politicians throwing verbal stones at each other and trotting out sound bites. It will come from a sensible and calm business approach.”

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