PM urges big firms to do more for ‘the common good’ and insists she is not anti-business ahead of fat cat crackdown
PM's landmark speech at Lord Mayor’s Banquet said message is key to 'retaining faith in capitalism and free markets' despite pledging to take on overpaid company bosses
THERESA May has insisted she is not anti-business despite lining up a series of crackdowns on sinning fat cats.
The PM asked big firms do more for “the common good” in a landmark speech, as the is key to “retaining faith in capitalism and free markets”.
Mrs May took power in July pledging to take on overpaid company bosses, rein in fat cat tax dodgers and curb the monopoly markets such as energy suppliers.
Delivering the annual speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, she explained: “Others have voiced their suspicion of what they see as a growing anti-business agenda.
“I don’t agree.
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“It is because I believe so passionately in business that I say this.
“Asking business to work with Government to play its part is profoundly pro-business, because it is fundamental to retaining faith in capitalism and free markets.”
Insisting that “liberalism and globalisation have left too many people behind”, the PM also called for “a modern version of the responsible approach to business”.
She named examples of old city livery companies setting up alms houses for the poor as what she wanted to see.
Mrs May added: “How different their ethos is from that small minority who believe they can operate by a different set of rules, and who recklessly damage the entire business community in the process”.
Britain can lead the world and “shape a new approach to globalisation to enhance the prosperity of not just some of our citizens, but all of our citizens”, Mrs May also told the white tie dinner at the Guildhall.