Insider Media Limited

West Midlands businesses are coming to terms with a highly uncertain post-election political landscape. Conservative hopes of gaining an overall parliamentary majority were hit by an inability to take key marginal seats in areas such as Birmingham Edgbaston and Solihull, leading to a first hung parliament in decades. Whilst it is too early to determine the exact shape the next government will take, business leaders are understandably seeking a quick resolution to this morning’s state of limbo. James Watkins, executive director of lobbying organisation Business Voice WM, said: “What West Midlands business needs now is a stable economy and a stable future. That means MPs cannot spend time squabbling in Westminster while businesses struggle to get on with the day job of securing employment and improving the bottom line.” Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, has called on whichever government is elected to support business growth. “The most important thing now is that business is given the freedom and support to grow, take on new staff and help drive forward the economy. Reducing the national debt is going to be crucial and, at times, difficult, unpopular decisions are going to be made. Political point scoring has to be put aside because it’s vital for the good of the economy and keeping interest rates low that the huge black hole is dealt with.”