Tory MPs open Westminster doors for Yorkshire business

At a meeting in which representatives from the business community had the chance to voice their concerns in front of a panel of Conservative MPs, many spoke of the need for improved infrastructure to help Yorkshire compete with other parts of the country.

Several business leaders warned that big corporations were suffering because of “increasingly anti-business mood music”.

MP for Skipton and Ripon Julian Smith, who organised the meeting, said: “It’s important that we get the region represented so that we can get the right investment in things like transport and the Green Investment Bank.

He added: “Business is concerned that some of the recent debate about pay had created a negative mood around business.

“But we want to demonstrate that we are supporting risk taking and supporting job creation in Yorkshire.”

Margaret Wood of the Institute of Directors and Richard Taylor of Morrisons were among those present. Mr Taylor said: “We face an environment where business and wealth creation is immediately knocked.

“There is increasingly anti-business mood music. But actually we are creating a skills set in the community that is needed.”

Ms Wood also warned lack of infrastructure is hindering business in the region and called for better rail links and broadband speeds.

The other MPs there were Harrogate and Knaresborough’s Andrew Jones, Brigg and Goole’s Andrew Percy; York Outer’s Julian Sturdy, Shipley’s Philip Davies, Martin Vickers from Cleethorpes and Robert Goodwill from Scarborough and Whitby.