FAQ

The Labour Small Business Forum

What is it?

It is a network of Labour party members and supporters who work for themselves, now or in the past, or those that work for a small business.

What are its objectives?

Labour aims to be the party for small business. To achieve that we believe that it needs to be the party OF small business. The aim of the forum is to network together and then organise together those in the party that are working for small firms or in them.

We also aim to promote innovation and entrepreneurism. Britain is a creative nation and aim to promote those strengths.

When was it setup?

It was originally set-up in 2003 in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Then we networked together people all over the country as small business members. We did some review of policy documents together via email and did some local meetings. In Hertfordshire former Labour MP and small businessman Kerry Pollard (St Albans) led a workshop as a part of partnership into power. We also ran a fringe meeting at conference. We are now organising nationally.

How does it fit with other organisations in Labour?

The Labour Finance and Industry Group exists already already and we hope to organise through LFIG in the future. Though our network members won’t need to be members of LFIG.

It is also complimentary to initiatives like ‘Movement for Change’ which is trying to set up small business forums in CLPs/Cities/Towns to listen to small businesses and then have campaigning actions.

Our focus is on the outcome ie that Labour can be both the party for and OF small business.