It’s impossible to catalogue all of the ‘out there’ stuff that Tory MPs say at conference fringes – there are only so many hours in the day – but this one from Ben Gummer deserves to be noted.
He wants to give businesses the vote. Perhaps like Mitt Romney he also believes that “businesses are people”.
Gummer attacked his local council – Ipswich – as “getting in people’s way” and “frustrating ambition.”
“The calibre of many councillors often leaves something to be desired…Most of them can’t read a balance sheet. Business councillors could release aspiration.”
Gummer’s answer is to have councillors elected by local businesses. Who needs one person one vote, eh?
I am sure it’s a total coincidence that Gummer’s opponent at the next general election will be the Labour leader of Ipswich council, David Ellesmere. Evidently, Gummer’s view is that if you can’t beat them – you should rig the voting system in favour of business interests…



More from LabourList
‘The Employment Rights Bill is a massive step forward – but we’re not done delivering for working people’
‘Britain’s G20 Presidency is Labour’s chance to lead a global reset’
Is Andy Burnham’s star dimming amid repeated hints at leadership ambition?