Suffolk Chamber business delegation meets Kemi Badenoch

A significant cohort of some of Suffolk’s leading businesspeople took full advantage of a unique opportunity to influence the policy agenda of the Conservative Party earlier this week.

Thanks to the sponsorship of Nick Timothy, MP for West Suffolk, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce hosted a lunchtime meeting with Rt. Hon. Kemi Badenoch MP, Leader of His Majesty’s Opposition, in the House of Commons on Monday 1^st June.

Those attending included representatives from West Suffolk-based companies such as Haverhill-based property developer Jaynic, Mildenhall drone manufacturers Ukrspecsystems, metalwork manufacturers Cambridge Rapid, national-leading haulage and transport firm Turners (Soham) and world-leading bloodstock agents Tattersalls.

Also in attendance were representatives from MSC, Sizewell C, BT Adastral Park, Anglian Water, Greene King, Network Rail, the University of Suffolk, British Sugar, Iliffe Media, ABP, Flannery Play Hire and Broadwater Mouldings.

In an open and focussed discussion, Kemi Badenoch referenced the ongoing Conservative Party policy review, her views on current key business issues and took questions from the Suffolk business delegation.

The topics raised included aspects of the Employment Rights Act, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, Agricultural Property Relief and Business Tax Relief, the growing burden of the costs of doing business and the county’s need for better road, rail, connectivity and utilities infrastructure. The need for significant improvements to the A14 in Suffolk and the Ely and Haughley rail junctions were emphasised by many of the businesses present.

John Dugmore, Suffolk Chamber’s chief executive, said: “Suffolk Chamber is very grateful to Nick Timothy for facilitating this important opportunity and to Kemi Badenoch for both giving us so much of her time and her clear, keen interest in and support for the businesses.”

Nick Timothy MP said: "Kemi and I were delighted to meet and listen to such an impressive range of Suffolk businesses. Companies like these are the backbone of the British economy – creating jobs, driving growth and investing in their communities.

“And huge thanks to Suffolk’s excellent Chamber of Commerce for helping to organise what was a very productive meeting.”

Paul Simon head of public affairs at Suffolk Chamber, added: “This was one of the most high-powered business delegations that Suffolk Chamber has had the privilege of convening in recent years. Every single businessperson achieved a lobbying bullseye in raising an issue of maximum importance to Suffolk’s business community.

“Suffolk Chamber has followed up this meeting with a list of recommendations for the ongoing Conservative Party policy review and we will continue to influence the delivery of pro-business policies across all political parties.”