Stuart Rose says business needs quick successor to ‘lame duck’ PM Johnson
Stuart Rose, the veteran retailer and Conservative peer, has urged Boris Johnson to leave 10 Downing Street now, describing him as a “lame duck prime minister”.
His comments came as a series of business leaders responded to Johnson’s resignation and the appointment of an interim cabinet by calling for tax cuts to support the UK’s deteriorating economy.
It has been suggested Johnson could remain as caretaker prime minister, possibly until the autumn when a new Conservative party leader is elected.
Lord Rose, chair of supermarket chain Asda and a former boss of Marks & Spencer, said a rapid transition to a new prime minister was a necessity and that action to help the economy was crucial with consumer spending and confidence on the wane.
“This has been too long in happening and it is unsustainable to continue with a hamstrung, lame duck prime minister into the autumn,” said Rose. “There doesn’t seem to be anybody dealing with the serious issue of the economy. This political crisis has hamstrung everything.”
A new leader will face a worsening economy, with inflation at a 40-year high, energy prices expected to rise further as winter approaches, and some predictions of an imminent recession.
Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), a business lobby group, said: “We hope today’s decision by the prime minister will finally bring this chapter of political instability to an end.
“Action is needed quickly to help business. We’re on limited time and the government must reset, rethink and get their house in order and swiftly demonstrate that it is on the side of business if confidence is to be restored.”
The BCC and Make UK, a lobby group representing manufacturers, are hoping for cuts to VAT on energy
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