Cameron: Bring down barriers to business
Conservative leader David Cameron has been defending his party’s reputation as the party of small business at a launch of a new scheme designed to encourage entrepreneurs.
Mr Cameron joined reality TV businessman Tim Campbell at the launch of the Bright Ideas Trust in London.
The Trust is the brainchild of Mr Campbell, winner of the first series of the television show the Apprentice. It aims to support start-up entrepreneurial ideas with financial support from existing businesses.
The Trust wants established companies to donate at least £250 to fund new entrepreneurial projects and is aiming to raise £1 million from 4,000 firms.
Mr Cameron said: “I am delighted to be here at the launch of The Bright Ideas Trust: beginning something great – lighting the fuse to an explosion of enterprise and creativity that will benefit our country in the next generation.”
The Bright Ideas Trust was inspired by research which found that “thousands” of unemployed 16 to 29-year-olds want to launch their own business but are inhibited by a lack of advice, encouragement and investment.
“Tim Campbell’s research has shown what a huge reservoir of talent and energy there is in today’s young people,” Mr Cameron continued.
“We have a social and moral obligation to help young people find positive outlets for their ambitions. Business creation is the best outlet there is, and I am really inspired that Tim has decided to turn his experience and ingenuity to helping other entrepreneurs.”
Mr Cameron called on politicians to exploit the UK’s burgeoning “sprit of creativity” and remove the barriers to social entrepreneurship.
Following the launch, Mr Cameron met with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Business.
His activities today have been seen as an attempt to re-establish the Conservative party’s links with business. The self-proclaimed environmentalist angered business leaders when he dropped out of the Confederation of British Industry’s conference.
