Election will be 'payback time' for MPs, says CBI

Local business leaders must use the forthcoming general election to hold parliamentary candidates to account over their support for the UK's corporate sector, according to the head of the CBI.

Local business leaders must use the forthcoming general election to hold parliamentary candidates to account over their support for the UK's corporate sector, according to the head of the CBI.

Sir Digby Jones, the CBI's director general, believes the election would be "payback time" for MPs, who had "hibernated" from businesses since winning power, and their rivals.

The CBI is not endorsing one party, but Sir Digby wants prospective MPs using local businesses for pre-election publicity to face tough questions. "I want the voice of business to be at the heart of the 2005 general election. Business is the only wealth creator in our society," he said.

Sir Digby has accused MPs and rival candidates of going into "hibernation" after polling day. "They will come along asking businesses to use their offices for a photo-shoot and business leaders should ask them whether they have ever praised Tesco for their profits," he said.

The CBI has published its business agenda for the election. Its demands include: slashing public spending to 40 per cent of GDP; tax burden on business to be cut; no more financial services regulation; a managed immigration policy for low- and semi-skilled workers and £300bn of transport investment over the next 10 years.