Why I’m now backing Labour
John Caudwell
Giving Pledge: Donating 70% of wealth to charities including Caudwell Children + Caudwell Youth | Philanthropist. Entrepreneur. Property Developer. Phones4U Founder. Author.
Sixty years ago, former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson said, “A week is a long time in politics”.
And, with just weeks to go before the nation decides our next PM, I have to say I couldn’t agree more.
Five years ago, I donated ￡500,000 to the Conservatives because I believed Jeremy Corbyn wasn’t the right person to lead our country.
Today, I believe that about Rishi Sunak and Nigel Farage. They just haven’t got what it takes.
As a lifelong Tory voter – of some 51 years and counting – I’ve despaired at the performance of the party in recent years, and with the upcoming election looming, after a lot of research and soul-searching, I’ve decided now is the time to make the switch.
There have been – and continue to be – a litany of errors from the Conservatives, not least:
Last week, I said I’d find it impossible to vote Tory again. And in recent days I’ve said Nigel Farage's Reform party, with their climate scepticism and enthusiasm for Donald Trump, wasn’t an option either.
Labour, on the other hand, is pinning its future – and ours – on powering economic growth.
They realise what I’ve known for many years: That true economic success is the key to unlocking our potential as a nation.
We can only be successful if our government has a commercial mindset and the will and determination to drive ahead with big and bold decisions. So I’m pleased that Keir Starmer and Rt Hon Rachel Reeves are listening to business leaders, including myself.
Growth is front and centre of Labour’s manifesto, and – importantly for us all and our future generations – that growth is tied closely to Britain becoming a clean energy superpower. It has to be.
The crossover for those who read about Caudwell Strong Britain?in my first newsletter last week will not have gone unnoticed.
The research I commissioned with Westminster think tank, the Council on Geostrategy , explores how we need to strengthen the science and technology sectors to boost prosperity and capitalise on the global trillion-dollar green transition economy.
After a meeting with business leaders last Friday, I had the chance to sit down separately with Keir and Rachel to challenge and discuss Labour’s approach. It was also my chance to look them both directly in the eye to see if they really mean what they say.
And those meetings changed my vote for the first time in more than 50 years. That is pretty powerful.
I also mentioned this in my exclusive interview in The Times, but I see Keir showing the same bulldog spirit I’ve seen in some of our best PMs of the past.
Combined with Rachel’s smart, pragmatic and incisive approach at the Treasury, they could be a game-changing duo – and just what our nation needs.
I believe they have what it takes to drag our country from the doldrums into a new era of prosperity with bold, decisive actions – not just words.
I think they can help us put the Great back into Britain.
So, they have my vote.
And I think they should have yours too.
Let me know your views in the comments – I’m all ears.
The killer of all cycle rides
You may know, I’m a cycling enthusiast!
But I’m not sure if I’m enthusiastic, terrified or excited about a lung-burning challenge I’m taking on this Saturday, when I’m doing the “Chase the Sun” ride across Italy, from the east coast to the west coast. That’s a total of 185 miles.?
It’s called Chase the Sun because we set off at 4.30am and have to finish by 9.30pm the same day.
Last week, as part of my training, I cycled from London to Staffordshire, a distance of 155 miles, which nearly killed me, especially because Google Maps really tried to sabotage my trip.
Some footage of my escapades is below. Thankfully I made it home OK!
Debate and discussion around the big issues are crucial for us to grow as a country, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on this edition before I head off to Italy.?
Director at Thompson Packaging Ltd
1 个月Hello John. I hope your keeping very well. I was just wondering, over seven months now into the new Labour administration, how you were feeling about your new party's performance? Kindest Regards Martin Thompson.
MD at AW Consultants
5 个月Mr.Caudwell. I admire your rise to success, but I do attribute it to an element of luck like most wheeler-dealers, rather than any skill. Your decision to support Kier Starmer and the Labour Party has had ruinous results for British business so far after 100 days. How can you be serious about defending British businesses when the Party you endorsed, is hell bent on destroying them, by waging a class-war on the enterprising middle-class of this country. This highlights the level of your incompetence and lack of judgement. It's funny how you've gone quiet all of a sudden, hiding in Monaco I suppose, whilst Labour are dismantling the economy.
Chief Executive Officer of Ascension Autism & Gut Health Matters ascensionautism,com
8 个月John Caldwell.....I pray ?? that children who need Gut Health get it ..in the UK ????????????????????????????
Sculptor and model maker and designer
8 个月YOU AND BANK OF DAVE ARE DOING GREAT THING FOR CHILDREN AND PEOPLE it is a pity they are more people like you well done. regards Chris.
Senior Performance Marketing Manager
8 个月Politics aside - how can you back such poor administrators as the current government? Then there's the corruption, dishonesty, and other glaring problems with basic government management right now.