The Leader of the House of Commons Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP emphasised the need for the Conservatives ‘to be the party for business’ as she spoke at the latest Ipswich Suffolk Business Club (ISBC) event hosted at Kesgrave Hall.

As a long term sponsor of the ISBC, PLMR Genesis helped organise the dinner event and hosted a table for clients. Local businesses challenged the senior Conservative Party figure on investment, growth and wider plans for the East of England.

As well as being the MP for Portsmouth North, Penny Mordaunt is also Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons.

Penny told ISBC members “We haven’t been the party of business for a long time and that needs to change; there are lots of things we can do. I know that if it was a choice between further help for individuals and households or supporting businesses, many of my colleagues would choose the latter.  We need the economy to grow.”

“I come from a coastal community, and I think the most important thing in terms of regenerating an area and keeping a pipeline of talent coming to the area and getting inward investment is having that sense of place. What is that community for, what is your unique selling point. There is a wide range of businesses represented here and I think having that clear sense of place and self and a clear plan locally with people working together across sectors, is good for the local community.”

“We have come through some really terrible years with the pandemic, and we had that huge civic outpouring. We have a window to carry on that and that makes for stronger communities.”

“We are a global trading nation and prosperity at home depends on, largely, what we are doing around the world. We had the state opening this week where I announced some bills which are going to really help us. Not least CPTPP (the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) which is a massive trade block that we are going to have access to and that represents enormous possibilities for UK businesses but also it will create high wage jobs in places like here.

“We have to focus on that and those protracted crises – the war in Ukraine being top of the list and we must ensure it is resolved in a way that Ukraine wants. The only way we can do that is to keep supporting them. We have all seen how dependent we are on those trade routes, food supply, fuel supply; all those things affect us and give us shocks at home, so we have got to resolve those matters.”

As Lord President of the Privy Council, Penny played a central role in the Accession Council and the Coronation of King Charles. She gave members an insight into that extraordinary time: “There was a tremendous sense of pride in her late Majesty and an outpouring of love for her and the new King. It was an emotional time but also, I was just so proud of our country and the values it was displaying and the stoicism through a very difficult and turbulent time.

“It was a huge privilege to be part of it and to support the Royal Family through it. I wasn’t prepared for quite the response I got from doing my role (at the Coronation). The King wanted a modern service and fit for a modern monarch. He wanted every part of society to be represented. They kept the full role of the Lord President in the Coronation, which I was very, very proud to do.”

Tim Miller, Associate Director at PLMR Genesis, added: “We were pleased to welcome Penny Mordaunt to the ISBC event and provide an opportunity for local businesses, including our clients, to share their experiences and to challenge the government on their plans for supporting the region.

“The East of England continues to punch above its weight and is home to ambitious businesses driving economic growth and delivering new opportunities for the region and local people. With an election expected next year and the background of an uncertain economic climate, it was an insightful and engaging event.”

Members of Ipswich Suffolk Business Club are local business owners, leaders and decision-makers who share the Club’s vision in promoting business growth and accelerating Suffolk’s business reputation in the UK.

The Club attracts high-quality speakers, giving members the opportunity to hear from and question exceptional business entrepreneurs and political influencers.

The event was sponsored by PLMR Genesis, Milsoms and Adnams.