Revealed: the insane rules that drive investment away

Keir Starmer's mixed messaging - and our sloppy legislation - is holding the country back

- Chris Blackhurst

A battle is raging in Downing Street. On one side are those who wish to see Britain “open for business” and attracting the world's wealthy, wishing to see them spend and invest. On the other are folks who regard anyone earning more than £40,000 as rich and anathema.

The first lot wish to attract foreign companies and entrepreneurs; the second see them as to be avoided or, at least, if they do come at all, to be milked for taxes. It's a fight of ideals but also of reality - while it ebbs back and forth, other nations are doing their level best to attract the international business community, offering them “golden tickets” and visas, making life for them as easy and as attractive as possible.

In the middle of the fray sits Keir Starmer. One minute, when Donald Trump is in town, he is all gung-ho; the next, when he is with the left, he is hesitant and cautious. He's got people around him who get it, who know what is needed, such as Darren Jones, nicked from under the nose of Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, and Varun Chandra, his business adviser, best there is, seated at the Windsor Castle banquet.