Sir Mel Stride

Sir Mel Stride

Conservative — Central Devon

Speaking in the House of Commons on 4 December 2024

Debate

Employer National Insurance Contributions

Contribution

I will not give way now. For this Government, supporting business is like living in a world of fantasy. In “The Walrus and the Carpenter”, it was trusting oysters who were led to their early demise; with the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, it is businesses that were trusting. As Lewis Carroll might have written the final verse: “‘O businesses’, said the Chancellor, ‘You’ve had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?’ But answer came there none— And this was scarcely odd, because She’d finished off every one.” That leaves just the Conservative party standing up for businesses in this country. For the working men and women in this country, we are the party that understands the difference between fantasy and reality. We are the party that knows that businesses need lower taxes, not higher taxes; less regulation, not more regulation; and a Government who are on their side. That is not the Labour party.

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