CBI wins ‘confidence vote’ of members – but can it survive scandal?

The ‘voice of British business’ secured the support of 93 per cent of its members. But can it still speak with authority in national conversation after rape and misconduct claims, asks James Moore

The CBI has won a crunch vote on its future (PA Archive)

There’s an unwritten rule in both business and parliamentary politics: don’t hold a vote unless you can win it.

Tuesday’s “confidence vote” among CBI members can be seen in that light; the “voice of British business” secured 93 per cent support for the reforms it set out in response to the horrible scandals engulfing it. A total of 371 members voted, in an organisation that claims to represent 190,000 firms.

A quick recap: former director general Tony Danker stepped aside amid allegations about his conduct, but that was just the start. A series of separate claims subsequently emerged about workplace culture and the behaviour of senior managers. The worst of these included two separate allegations of rape at company functions.