Small Businesses Feel Betrayed, as Conservatives and Reform Seek Their Support
A business owner who met with a Labour frontbencher before the election expressed disappointment, stating: “You think you’ve met the people. They’ve looked you in the eye, said they support growth, and listened to your concerns. Then, as soon as they take office, they do the complete opposite.”
Small Businesses, Big Political Stakes
Sensing an opportunity, Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch has used her weekly Prime Minister’s Questions to challenge Keir Starmer’s government over Labour’s so-called “jobs tax.”
Meanwhile, Reform MP Richard Tice, deputy to Nigel Farage in the right-wing movement, has accused the government of fostering a “hostile environment for family businesses.”
“It’s essentially a competition between the Tories and Reform to win back small business votes from Labour,” said James Frayne, founding partner of policy research agency Public First.
Conservative strategists say Badenoch is making a deliberate effort to engage with businesses through weekly visits across the country, aiming to rebuild support after her party’s electoral defeat.
“We want to align ourselves more closely with entrepreneurs, business owners, and those willing to take risks,” said a party strategist, who spoke anonymously. He noted the appointments of Mel Stride as shadow chancellor and Andrew Griffith as shadow business and trade secretary as part of a “strategic decision” to strengthen ties with the business community.
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