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Articles and Speeches
Conservatives
in Cities
10-Oct-03, Conservative Conference,
Blackpool.
"Good afternoon
My name is Adam Afriyie and I am delighted to be here this
afternoon.
My background is in business.
Having built businesses in London, I will tell you why
I believe Conservatives are best for business in our cities.
Conservatives understand that British businesses are the
engine of the economy.
They generate the jobs, the incomes and, yes, the taxes,
that make for a good society.
It is only when business thrives that our people have jobs,
our economy grows, and we compete well in a competitive
world.
With the greatest number of businesses concentrated in
our capital, perhaps nowhere is it more important, that
the environment is right for business.
Like other British entrepreneurs, I have risked everything
to build two successful businesses over the last 10 years.
Those businesses now employ hundreds of staff and continue
to grow.
I am relieved to say they are a success, as are many of
our businesses in London and in our other great cities –
great cities like Windsor.
But I am not happy, and most of my friends in business
are not happy.
We’re not happy because, we understand that to build a
successful business you must have tight control of your
finances.
• But the current mayor of London has never run a business,
• the current mayor of London does not understand business
and, worst of all,
• the current mayor of London is wasting people’s money
by letting his finances run out of control
I’ll let you into a secret.
He is hostile to business.
And he is so lacking in financial acumen, that he has hiked
council tax by 80% in 3 years, but GLA finances are still
in crisis.
And he is hostile to the very people that generate the
jobs and pay the taxes, to feed his thirst for ever increasing
and wasteful spending.
So we’re angry, angry because he is wasting people’s hard
earned money.
In contrast, Conservatives understand business.
They understand that business is the key to success and
prosperity for everyone in society.
Conservatives are the friend of business.
• In our cities Conservatives deliver better services
• In our cities Conservatives deliver cheaper services
and
• In our cities Conservatives deliver the best environment
for business
And this is why, business is backing, Steve Norris, a Conservative
Mayor for London."
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