General election 2024: Businesses have a long wish-list from parties
The approach of business to general elections is not what it was.
Not that long ago, it was common for big corporates to make donations to political parties, including big FTSE 100 names such as SmithKline Beecham, United Biscuits, General Accident and Whitbread.
Most of these donations would go to the Conservatives but there were some companies, such as Marks & Spencer and Pearson, which also made donations to other parties.
Some, such as Hanson – whose founder Lord Hanson was a loyal supporter of Margaret Thatcher – continued to do so even after the 1992 Cadbury Report recommended companies stop making contributions to political parties.
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Even after the political contributions dried up, FTSE 100 chief executives were not shy about endorsing or criticising politicians at election time.
In 1997, a number of well-known business people including Robert Ayling of British Airways, Bob Bauman of the old British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and George Simpson of GEC endorsed Tony Blair’s Labour ahead of that year’s election, while John Major’s Conservatives also had plenty of backers.
Business people were also happy to speak out about particular policies. Ahead of the 1997 election, BT’s chairman, Sir Iain Vallance, lashed out at Labour’s proposals for a windfall tax on the privatised utilities while Brian Stewart, chief executive of the pubs and brewing giant Scottish & Newcastle, criticised Labour’s plans to create a Scottish Parliament with tax-raising powers.
None of that happens any more. Most CEOs, while having their own political opinions like the rest of us, prefer to keep them to themselves. The more astute, realising that it makes sense to speak to politicians, are careful to ensure they are seen to be behaving even-handedly and not expressing a preference for one side or the other.
Business wish-lists
That does not mean businesses do not have their own wish-lists of policies.
This is particularly true of small businesses. Their wish-list has not changed in the last couple of decades and is topped by wanting a change in the law to enforce prompt payments from larger businesses to their suppliers and the reform of business rates, which is also a bugbear for larger companies in sectors such as retail and hospitality.
Higher up the corporate food chain, what big businesses crave most is clarity and consistency in policy.
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As Dame Amanda Blanc, chief executive of insurance, savings and pensions giant Aviva, told Sky News today: “Obviously we’re apolitical. What we want is for the environment to be one where we can invest, with certainty. You know, we want consistency and stability and so that whoever is the winner of the election, we want the election to be decisive, and we really want there to be certainty for us to be able to invest in things like UK infrastructure.”
Dame Amanda, who has served on both the prime minister’s business council and on the business taskforce put together by shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, added: “We’ve invested £9.5bn in UK infrastructure in the last three years.
Dame Amanda Blanc has been chief executive of Aviva since July 2020.
“Our commitment is £25bn over the next 10 years. In order to do that, you have to have a more certain environment. And so that’s what we look forward to.”
That desire for stability and consistency was why the brief tenure of Liz Truss in 10 Downing Street was so damaging and why, off the record, a lot of business executives will admit to being grateful to Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt for restoring order to public finances after the firestorm created by Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget in September 2022.
They feel it is the first time, since David Cameron was in office, that a PM had the corporate world’s back. Theresa May alienated a lot of globe-trotting CEOs with her infamous 2016 speech in which she said “if you believe you are a citizen of the world, you are a citizen of nowhere”. She was replaced by Boris Johnson who, as foreign secretary in 2018, infamously said “f*** business.” And then came Ms Truss.
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If business leaders are grateful to Messrs Sunak and Hunt, there is also warmth towards Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Reeves for their constructive approach.
Yes, there is some unease about deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner’s proposals to ban zero-hours contracts, end fire and rehire and to give workers full rights and protections from day one of their employment.
But there is a sense that after the leadership of Gordon Brown, Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn, who went into the 2019 election campaign threatening to nationalise much of the energy industry, the water industry and BT’s broadband network, this is the most pro-business Labour leadership since the days of the much-missed Tony Blair.
While big businesses chiefly seek stability and consistency of policy, that is not to say they do not have specific wish-lists of their own.
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The big leisure, hospitality and luxury goods companies would like the restoration of VAT-free shopping for international visitors, the loss of which, they argue, has driven business away from the UK to destinations like Paris and Milan.
Most businesses with property interests – which is nearly all of them – would like to see a more coherent planning regime. Housebuilders would like a relaxation of rules requiring a proportion of housing developments are devoted to affordable homes.
Shoplifting scourge
Retailers would like the police to be required to make tackling the scourge of shoplifting a greater priority.
Manufacturers, in particular, would like to see an easing to some trade frictions that have built up since Brexit.
And carmakers – currently under threat of being fined if a certain proportion of their sales are not electric vehicles – would like to see a restoration of government incentives to buy EVs and for the roll-out of EV charging points.
Businesses, it is often pointed out, do not have votes.
But they do create the jobs and wealth on which this country relies. Those hitting the campaign trail over the next six weeks will need no reminding of that.
Barclays will no longer sponsor Latitude, Download or Isle of Wight festivals after musicians and comedians dropped out in protest over the bank’s ties to the Israel-Hamas war.
Live Nation, the concert promoter, told Sky News: “Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals.”
Upcoming Live Nation festivals across the UK this summer include Latitude, Download and the Isle of Wight.
Barclays signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Live Nation in 2023. It’s not clear if the suspension will apply to all events up to 2028.
Comedians Joanne McNally, Sophie Duker, Grace Campbell, and Alexandra Haddow all announced they would be boycotting Latitude Festival last week.
Musicians including CMAT, Pillow Queens, Mui Zyu, and Georgia Ruth had also pulled out of the event.
Download Festival, which comes to Donington Park, Leicestershire this weekend, had seen acts including Pest Control, Ithaca, Scowl, Speed and Zulu pull out, also over the festival’s sponsorship.
‘Facilitating genocide’
In a statement on Instagram, Pest Control wrote: “We will not take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide”.
Meanwhile, Ithaca wrote on X: “Whilst we hate letting anyone down, this moment of solidarity sends a powerful message to the organisers about where the younger generation of bands stand”.
A spokesperson for Barclays told Sky News: “Barclays was asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024”.
Pic: Palestine Action/X
Barclays calls on ‘leaders’ to ‘stand united’ against activist pressure
Palestine Action, a group whose members attacked 20 of the bank branches across England and Scotland last week, has accused Barclays of having financial interests in both Israel’s weapons trade and fossil fuels.
The UK-based Palestine Solidarity Campaign has called for a general boycott of the bank, while the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has named Barclays as one of their “divestment and exclusion” targets.
Barclays’ statement went on: “The protestors’ agenda is to have Barclays debank defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe.
“They have resorted to intimidating our staff, repeated vandalism of our branches and online harassment. The only thing that this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken essential support for cultural events enjoyed by millions.
“It is time that leaders across politics, business, academia and the arts stand united against this.”
Barclays has said while it provides financial services to “public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies” it does not directly invest in the firms.
Latitude Festival told Sky News: “Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of Latitude Festival”.
Comedians pull out en masse
Taskmaster star McNally, who had been set to close the Latitude Festival on Saturday wrote in an Instagram story last week: “I’m getting messages today about me performing at Latitude when it’s being sponsored by Barclays.
“I’m no longer doing Latitude. I was due to close the comedy tent on the Sunday night, but I pulled out last week.
“I’m on the old artwork but I haven’t been listed on the site since I pulled out a week ago.”
Comedian Duker had shared a photo of her at a previous Latitude Festival, and confirmed she would be boycotting the event.
She wrote: “I am committed to minimising my complicity in what I consider to be a pattern of abhorrent, unlawful violence”.
The 34-year-old comedian also said her pro-Palestinian stance “has gained me violent abuse, targeted pile-ons and death threats”.
Fellow comedian Grace Campbell, who is the daughter of Sir Tony Blair’s former spokesman Alastair Campbell, shared Duker’s post in an Instagram story, announcing she was also pulling out of the festival.
Meanwhile, comedian Alexandra Haddow said she too would no longer appear at Latitude, writing on Instagram: “I can’t in good conscience take the fee.”
In a post shared on her Instagram account last week, Irish singer-songwriter CMAT said she would boycott Latitude, writing: “I will not allow my precious work, my music, which I love so much, to get into bed with violence.”
Isle Of Wight Festival. Pic: AP
Campaign groups celebrate victory
In response to the exodus of acts, Barclays previously defended its position, saying it recognised “the profound human suffering” caused by the Israel-Hamas war.
“We provide vital financial services to US, UK, and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies,” it said in a statement published online.
“Barclays does not directly invest in these companies. The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations.
“Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments.”
Bands Boycott Barclays declares victory
In response to Barclays stepping away, campaign group Bands Boycott Barclays, which has been leading the protests, wrote on Instagram: “This is a victory for the Palestinian-led global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement.
“As musicians, we were horrified that our music festivals were partnered with Barclays, who are complicit in the genocide in Gaza through investment, loans and underwriting of arms companies supplying the Israeli military.
“Hundreds of artists have taken action this summer to make it clear that this is morally reprehensible, and we are glad we have been heard.
“Our demand to Barclays is simple: divest from the genocide, or face further boycotts. Boycotting Barclays, also Europe’s primary funder of fossil fuels, is the minimum we can do to call for change.”
Last month, more than 100 acts dropped out of The Great Escape Festival in Brighton and Hove due to its ties to Barclays.
Climate campaigners also welcomed the move to suspend the Barclaycard sponsorship.
‘Rotten bank’
Joanna Warrington at Fossil Free London said: “Barclays is a rotten bank: artists, brands, clients, and customers are all abandoning Barclays because of the billions Barclays is ploughing into fossil-fuel companies like Shell and Israeli arms companies dropping bombs on innocent Palestinian children.
“This won’t stop until Barclays stops funding destruction.”
Greenpeace UK’s co-executive director Areeba Hamid said: “This bank is the biggest fossil-fuel funder in Europe, bankrolling oil and gas to the tune of billions of pounds, and has now been linked to arms companies involved in the conflict in Gaza.
“By putting an end to the greenwashing, festival organisers are sending a clear signal to Barclays that it’s time they took responsibility for the destructive industries they fund.”
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Festival sponsors face growing scrutiny
Barclays has confirmed that despite no longer being associated with the festivals, their customers with tickets will not be affected and their tickets will remain valid.
In a similar turn of events, Hay Festival dropped its sponsorship with investment management firm Baillie Gifford last month, after numerous celebrities pulled out due to the company’s links with fossil fuels and businesses linked to the Israeli defence industry.
Activist group Fossil Free Books urged high-profile figures to distance themselves from the literary event, which saw performers including comedian Nish Kumar, singer Charlotte Church and Labour MP Dawn Butler pull out.
While in March many artists refuse to play SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, due to the event’s connections to the US army and weapons companies linked with the conflict.
Download Festival will be held in Donington Park, Leicestershire this weekend.
The Isle of Wight Festival will be held in Seaclose Park, Newport, between 20 – 23 June, headlined by The Prodigy, Pet Shop Boys and Green Day.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend Latitude Festival at Henham Park in Suffolk, held from the 25-29 July.
Two sandwich makers supplying UK supermarkets have recalled products because of an E.coli risk, the Food Standards Agency has said.
It’s a precautionary step a week after the UK Health Security Agency said an outbreak had forced some people into hospital.
Products from Boots, Asda, Tesco, Co-op, Aldi, Sainsbury’s and Amazon are part of the recall, said the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Asda and Tesco stressed it was a precaution and said shoppers could return the products for a refund.
Greencore and Samworth Brothers Manton Wood are the companies that supplied the products.
It’s understood other manufacturers will issue their own recalls in the coming hours.
The FSA said it had narrowed the source “to a small number of salad leaf products that have been used in sandwiches, wraps, subs and rolls”.
Symptoms include “severe and sometimes bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and fever”, said Trish Mannes from the UKHSA.
However, some cases can cause serous complications that can lead to kidney failure.
People are being advised to follow NHS.uk guidance if they become unwell.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using disinfectants to clean surfaces will help stop any further spread of infection,” said Ms Mannes.
People who might be infected also shouldn’t prepare food for others and avoid work or school until 48 hours after symptoms stop.
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The UKHSA said cases had nearly doubled in the last week, with a further 98 bringing the total to 211.
Numbers are expected to rise as testing continues for more cases of the Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).
Based on 160 cases, 42% of people have needed hospital treatment, the UKHSA added.
Last week, it said cases were linked to a “nationally distributed food item” but didn’t give further details.
E.coli bacteria are normally harmless and live in the intestines of humans and animals. However some strains, like STEC, can make people very ill.
Full list of recalled products:
Aldi Chicken Fajita Triple Wrap
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by Amazon BLT Sandwich
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by Amazon Chicken & Bacon Layered Salad
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by Amazon Chicken Salad Sandwich
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by Amazon Ploughman’s Sandwich
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by Amazon Prawn Layered Salad
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Asda Smoky Beans and Cheddar Cheese Wrap
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Asda Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
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Asda Chicken & Bacon Club (Sandwich)
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Asda Brie, Bacon and Chilli Chutney (Sandwich)
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Asda BLT (Sandwich)
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Asda Vegan No Chick’n Caesar Wrap
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Asda Tuna Crunch Sub Roll
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Asda Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
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Asda Southern Fried Chicken Triple Wrap
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Boots BBQ Chicken wrap
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Boots BLT (Sandwich)
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Boots Cheddar Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich)
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Boots Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap
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Boots Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
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Boots Chicken Triple (Sandwich)
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Boots Delicious Ham & Cheese Ploughman’s (Sandwich)
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Boots Halloumi & Greek Style Salad wrap
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Boots Ham & Egg Club (Sandwich)
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Boots Mixed Triple (Sandwich)
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Boots Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
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Boots Spicy Bean & Cheese Wrap
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Boots Vegan No Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
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Boots Vegan No Duck & Hoisin Wrap
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Boots Veggie Triple (Sandwich)
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Co-op Vegan Gro Onion Bhaji (Sandwich)
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Co-op Mexican Style Bean & Cheese Wrap
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Co-op Ham, Cheese & Pickle (Sandwich)
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Co-op Ham & Cheese Wrap
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Co-op Chicken & Bacon Caesar Wrap
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Co-op Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato (Sandwich)
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Morrisons Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
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Morrisons Chicken Salad PFS (Sandwich)
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Morrisons Gluten Free Chicken Salad (Sandwich)
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Morrisons Gluten Free Sandwich Platter
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OneStop Tuna Crunch Sub
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OneStop Chicken Salad Sandwich
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OneStop Hoisin Duck Wrap
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OneStop Chicken Bacon & Lettuce Sandwich
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Sainsbury’s Kitchen Deli Peri Peri Chicken Wrap
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Sainsbury’s Kitchen Deli BBQ Pulled Pork & Red Leicester Wrap
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Sainsbury’s Kitchen Deli Chicken, Bacon & Avocado Focaccia (Sandwich)
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Sainsbury’s Kitchen Deli Greek Style Wrap
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Sainsbury’s Kitchen Deli Jerk Halloumi Wrap
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Tesco Chicken Salad Sandwich
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Tesco Chicken Salad Sub
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Tesco BBQ Chicken Wrap
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Tesco Hoi Sin Duck Wrap
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Tesco The Chicken Club Sandwich
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Tesco Tuna Crunch Sub
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Tesco Spicy Bean Wrap
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Tesco Chicken Bacon & Lettuce Sandwich
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Tesco Fajita Chicken Wrap
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Tesco Summer Edition Greek Style Chicken Gyros Wrap
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The Gym Kitchen Peri Peri Chicken Chilled Wrap
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