This week, David Cameron made his closing speech to the Conservative party conference. He spoke of an 'aspirational nation' and his speech was littered with references to start-ups and enterprising individuals and how they are key to the future of Britain.
One of the first points made by Cameron relating to entrepreneurs was for the UK economy to create good jobs, which would happen if government made it easier for businesses to invest and take people on. To do this, the prime minister said that low interest rates would need to be introduced so that businesses can afford to take out a loan.
Quoting the speech, the Prime Minister also said "We’re getting our entrepreneurial streak back: last year the rate of new business creation was faster than any other year in our history. We’re making things again. We had a trade surplus in cars last year for the first time in almost 40 years. And it’s not just the old industries growing, it’s the new. We’re number one in the world for offshore wind. Number one in the world for tidal power. The world’s first green investment bank. Britain leading; Britain on the rise. We’re showing we can do it."
David Cameron also looked at the rise in new investment coming into the country.
"In the last two years, Google, Intel, Cisco – the big tech firms – they’ve all set up new bases here and we are selling to the world again. In just two years, our exports to Brazil are up 25 per cent, to China - 40 per cent and to Russia – 80 per cent.
Cameron also mentioned the work of Alastair Lukies, CEO and Co-Founder of Monitise.
"I want to tell you about one business. It’s run by a guy called Alastair Lukies. He and his business partner saw a world with almost 6 billion mobile phones and just 2 billion bank accounts. They saw the huge gap in the market– and they started a mobile banking firm helping people in the poorest parts of the world manage their money and start new companies. He’s been with me on trade missions all over the world – and his business is booming.
"Back in 2010, when we came to office, they employed about 100 people – now it’s more than 700.
"Then they were nowhere in Africa, nowhere in Asia, now they are the global player, with one million new users every month.
"So don’t let anyone tell you Britain can’t make it in this world – we’re the most enterprising, buccaneering, creative, dynamic nation on earth."
Entrepreneur Country asked James King and Charlie Mullins what they thought of the speech and its references to the importance of business owners. James King, Founder of FIG, which invests in the businesses of students and recent graduates, divulged the following;
"Start-ups play a vital role in the British economy. As well as the obvious benefits of job creation and increased tax revenues, start-ups foster innovation through increased competition. This drives the bigger players to discover and develop the next big thing.
"The government is helping start-ups, but there is more to do. Britain already has many of the building blocks in place to give start-ups a really good basis for success, but there is still more that can be done. We believe in enhanced education for all stakeholders concerning the risks and rewards of start-ups, and a fostering culture that celebrates early stage investment. We also believe better and more intuitive opportunities should be available to get into and exit early-phase investment."
"The government is helping start-ups, but there is more to do. Britain already has many of the building blocks in place to give start-ups a really good basis for success, but there is still more that can be done. We believe in enhanced education for all stakeholders concerning the risks and rewards of start-ups, and a fostering culture that celebrates early stage investment. We also believe better and more intuitive opportunities should be available to get into and exit early-phase investment."
Charlie Mullins, Founder of Pimlico Plumbers, regularly meets with politicians to discuss how UK economy can be given a boost by helping smalll businesses and employing apprentices. He said;
"David Cameron's speech saw him become the leader of the Conservative Party, again. The Prime Minister mapped out a path for the future of the UK with a promise to 'get behind people who want to get on in life'. He also spoke about the importance of 'doers and risk-takers' in what he called the 'aspirational nation' he wants to build.
"We need to incentivise Britain to restore itself and it's self-image as one of the most productive and creative nations in the world. We're not in great shape, but have a look at the rest of Europe and the US! We are ready to rise again, all we need to do is believe, pull together, and like David Cameron said we will get on in life.
"If I'm being honest 'getting on with it' is pretty much what most people in business have been doing. And with 350,000 newly registered companies, it seems it's not just the old guard who have got the message. With the right conditions, and yes, I am talking about tax cuts (next stop 40p in the pound maximum), and the further reduction in the public sector, leading to the inevitable destruction of their trademark red tape, UK PLC can get people back to work, including the scandalous number of under 25s.
"Three years ago I was considering packing up and going off to Spain, that's how disenchanted I was by the way things were going under Gordon Brown. Today, we are still (officially at least) in recession, but I feel like Britain, as a nation, is going somewhere good. Glad I stayed to fight!"
Do you have any comments on David Cameron's speech and his future plans for business owners? Leave a comment below and join the debate!
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