The Malvern Hills Science Park in Great Malvern was the venue for a meeting last week where local businesses from across the two counties could meet prospective Conservative MPs for four constituencies.
The event was organised by the Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber has published a business manifesto for the next Parliament and has surveyed local businesses to ask them about their priorities.
Mark Garnier, Prospective Conservative MP for Wyre Forest, Harriett Baldwin, Prospective Conservative MP for West Worcestershire, Jesse Norman, Prospective Conservative MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire, and Robin Walker, Prospective Conservative MP for Worcester all attended the meeting and welcomed the recommendations. All four prospective MPs have extensive business backgrounds.
Mark Garnier said: "In a week when we saw the Labour Chancellor increase taxes on working (with a 1% hike in NI) we are reminded how incredibly important business is to the recovery of our shattered economy. But it is no good Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling expecting businesses to pick up the cost of a decade of colossal mismanagement.
Conservative policies and aspirations are broadly the same as the aspirations of local businesses. It is important that any Government helps and encourages businesses to grow and Conservatives recognise that. But it is also vitally important that constituencies have a local Member of Parliament that understands business and can take a lead in the local recovery."