Boris Johnson’s eleventh-hour withdrawal from the CBI annual conference on Monday felt fitting to many in the business world, reflecting both the confusion and disconnect between the prime minister and UK industry.
While businesses were broadly supportive of the first pandemic lockdown, many executives have expressed growing disillusionment with recent decisions, from the 10pm hospitality sector curfew to the weekend’s decision to implement a four-week lockdown across England without consultation or discussion.
“Diehard Tory voters in the City are pulling their hair out over decisions being made,” said one senior banker. “There are real worries over how poor this government is. The access to No 10 right now as a FTSE 100 chief is as bad as it’s ever been.”