Recruiting a shadow chancellor whose hobbies apparently include “generally fomenting the overthrow of capitalism” was not perhaps the best way for new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to introduce himself to the business world.
Yet Angela Eagle, the new shadow business secretary will be “very good on her brief” and new shadow small business minister Bill Esterson will be an “excellent shadow minister” and “someone businesses will be able to talk with,” I have been assured by Simon Danczuk MP, a Labour figure widely expected to cause trouble for Corbyn and Co if they do try to foment the overthrow of capitalism.
Whether or not his faith is well placed will become clear in time but with the current government attracting criticism from independent businesses for everything from Sunday trading to tobacco legislation and, of course, the National Living Wage might there be a chance, in five years‘ time, the industry dubs Labour “the party of the supply chain” and joins the youthful and exuberant campaign that takes Corbyn into number 10? My breath is not held.
