When News reached out to the 15 corporations that are represented on the prime minister’s business council, none of them consented to publicly support the Tories.
Group, , Nationwide, and Unilever were among the businesses whose executives sat on the council, which is believed to have convened no more than twice since its founding in January.
The maker of airplane engines, Rolls Royce Holdings, consented to allow shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves to use its Derby headquarters for a campaign address on Tuesday.
According to one of those concerned, the chief executive’s attendance in the council was intended to provide opinions in an effort to shape government policy.
Speaking under the pseudonym, the business stated, “[Their] involvement is not a direct endorsement of the governing political party’s views as these will be many and varied.”
While such neutrality is not out of the ordinary for the heads of large publicly traded corporations, it does underscore the challenge facing the Tories in the run-up to 4 July in convincing big business personalities to openly support the party.
Historically, the Tories have outperformed Labour in winning public endorsements from large corporations; however, this time, a pro-Labour letter signed by over 120 businesspeople and published on it.
