We all know that small and medium enterprises of are the backbone of the British economy. We know that, despite understandable attention on what is happening to very large enterprises (the corporates), the bulk of employment in the UK is with SMEs.
All of this is a given. But it is only the Labour Party that really understands how best to relate to and support those enterprises which will be crucial to delivery for a Labour government. Directly, but also as part of the supply chain, ensuring that the ambition of dramatically improved growth, increased productivity and spreading prosperity across the country can be achieved as quickly as possible under a change of government.
Whether in support for apprenticeships, skills development and knowledge transfer and impact from universities; or through broader fiscal and tax policy, a Labour government will be working with SMEs to ensure that innovation and enterprise is both rewarding and properly recognised.
In short, SME4Labour has and will have a crucial role in contributing to future policy and ensuring that agreed outcomes are delivered in practice.
I was honoured, last year, to receive the award from SME4Labour Peer of the Year. That is an accolade I will carry forward with pride.
Lord Blunkett