Stewart Dunn, Chief Executive of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We congratulate the new and re-elected MPs in our region while commiserating with those candidates who missed out. It is important for our members to know there is a strong bond between our elected representatives and the local business community and so we want to ensure that relationship remains close and cooperative.
“Following what was a dramatic Election night, our members will now expect David Cameron to continue rebuilding the economy and ensuring the tools are in place for sustainable, long-term growth. We urge the Conservatives to work with us on regional priorities identified in the Chamber network’s manifesto ‘A Business Plan for Britain’. These include continuing to bear down on the deficit, cutting red tape for business and helping firms to invest. The government must reform business rates, support our exporters and champion more apprenticeships to improve our region’s skills.
“We also call on the Prime Minister to follow through on his stated commitments to freeze VAT, National Insurance and income tax rates. Businesses will welcome a stable road ahead on all these issues for financial planning purposes.
“On the question of Europe, most of the members we survey continue to support the Prime Minister’s pragmatic aim to re-cast Britain’s relationship with the EU, and to hold a referendum on the result.
“As we look to the next five years, we believe Hampshire and the UK can become more confident, prosperous and skilled. To achieve that, we need practical, pro-enterprise measures.”
