Almost two thirds of British businesses consider MPs to be ineffective at representing their legitimate interests to government.

Almost two thirds of British businesses consider MPs to be ineffective at representing their legitimate interests to government.

This contrasts with high levels of confidence in trade associations, where 63.6 per cent of businesses rate them effective at representing their interests to national and EU government, according to a survey of 2,000 businesses by MindMetre Research. 

Small business associations, defined as either national or local associations, receive a mixed vote from business, with 49.6 per cent considering them effective and 50.4 per cent ineffective at representing small business interests to government.

While large companies have a higher-than-average confidence in their MPs, medium-sized firms feel the most under-represented, with almost 70 per cent deeming their MPs ineffective at getting their voices heard.

Paul Lindsell, managing director at MindMetre Research says, 'We were really taken aback by the massive lack of business confidence in MPs shown in this study, especially when cross-party support is needed for sensible and effective strategies for boosting the fortunes of British business.

'The key focus at the moment should be getting UK plc back on its feet, not political in-fighting, and this report starkly emphasises how parliamentarians may simply not be paying enough attention to the issue.'

The report notes that only 25 per cent of MPs come from a business background, almost the exact opposite of the composition of employment in the UK.

Lindsell adds, 'By the same token, the outcomes of this report should also make broad business organisations up their game and make more effort to communicate with MPs.

Trade associations are deemed highly effective at championing their specific issues and themes, but more generalist organisations do not seem to be getting their message across with the same effectiveness.'

See also: Government failing small businesses