Executive sector news
CBI boss tells politicians to 'get a grip'
15/6/2009Britain's prospects for economic recovery are being hampered by politicians who have become obsessed by their own problems, according to Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI.
Speaking at an annual CBI dinner, Mr Lambert demanded that politicians 'get a grip' and accused them of being wholly preoccupied with the Westminster village. He warned that policy-makers are more concerned about the expenses scandal than tackling "the biggest economic, social and environmental challenges of our lifetime."
He also said: "Politicians are airily throwing around ideas for constitutional reform - ideas which may be desirable in themselves and will need serious discussion in calmer times but which are a massive diversion when so many urgent policy decisions have to be agreed and implemented." He said that this level of distraction could bring long-term damage to the economy.
Philip Hammond, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, told 'The Daily Telegraph', "These comments should come as a powerful wake-up call to Ministers who have been more worried about protecting their own jobs than saving other people's, and to a Prime Minister who refuses to acknowledge the extent of the challenges we face. The only solution is a general election."
