MPs need to wake up: Unnecessary uncertainty is fuelling unnecessary decline in growth and investment
In response to the overwhelming frustration felt by its members due to the ugly and unproductive manoeuvrings in Parliament, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) is calling for all MPs, whether ‘leavers or remainers’, to wake up to the need for the national interest to trump party politics over the coming weeks.
In response to the overwhelming frustration felt by its members due to the ugly and unproductive manoeuvrings in Parliament, the Mineral Products Association (MPA) is calling for all MPs, whether ‘leavers or remainers’, to wake up to the need for the national interest to trump party politics over the coming weeks.
The MPA has adopted a neutral position since the referendum due to the diverse range of views within its membership on a complex issue where opinions still vary widely. Since the referendum we have consistently urged the Government to minimise uncertainty in order to avoid damaging business confidence and risking a reduction in business investment. Our priority has always been about boosting growth as the best means to generate prosperity for all. Tragically, our worst fears have been realised with unnecessary uncertainty fuelling unnecessary decline in growth and investment at a time when there is a burning need for more housing and infrastructure.
Both main political parties and Parliament are split and dysfunctional. The leadership of both parties seem more concerned about internal party politics than economic growth and future generations. Whilst politicians will come and go businesses need to live beyond electoral cycles, and in the normal course of events, are adept at doing so. A considerable number of influential politicians who have little or no relevant sharp end business experience are asserting on issues well beyond their capability whilst ignoring the wealth of business voices who are genuinely trying to help the Government. It is an absolute tragedy that the Government has been unable to harness the goodwill of business and industry over the last two years effectively.
When many of the current political players have moved on, businesses and employees will be left to pick up the pieces created by the current chaos. For some, this appears to be an acceptable price to be paid by the electorate when clearly it is not, nor what most people will have voted for. Whatever the outcome of the current negotiations, all MPs should look in the mirror and ask themselves ‘what is the best outcome in the national interest?’ rather than adhering to political and visceral opinions, often unsupported by any hard or credible evidence.
Beyond Westminster in the real world, whether private or public sector, people are concerned about their jobs, families and futures. They expect politicians in all parties from all parts of the UK to see the bigger picture for the short, medium and long term and work together to maximise national prosperity to enable the maintenance of good public services. Like the rest of the country our industry has had enough of wilful and misleading assertion playing fast and loose with an issue of such significance. Overall the political class need to get a grip, get on with it and do the right thing.
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