General election 2019: Dozens of business leaders back Lib Dems as party tries to outflank Tories on the economy Exclusive: The founders of Zoopla and Superdry lead a list of business chiefs endorsing the centrist party

A group of 60 business leaders have backed the Liberal Democrats in an open letter, insisting Jo Swinson’s party is the only one with a “credible plan for future prosperity”.

The endorsement by entrepreneurs including the founders of Zoopla and Superdry comes as a boost to the Lib Dems in their bid to outflank the Conservatives on the economy.

The party has pledged to run a current budget surplus every year in order to avoid adding to the UK’s stock of public debt.

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The open letter shared with i says: “There is a big task ahead if we are to build a prosperous, fair, inclusive and sustainable economy fit for the 21st century.

Economic challenge

“We must do more to address social and geographical inequalities. We need to act boldly and urgently to tackle the climate emergency. And we must create more quality jobs and investment if the UK is to truly prosper from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Success will require government and business working together in partnership.”

It also calls for a closer relationship between Britain and the EU, concluding: “The Liberal Democrats are the only party who have set out a credible plan for future prosperity that addresses these strengths and challenges, and we strongly welcome their commitment to working in partnership with business to achieve this vision.”

This week’s mega-poll from YouGov found the Lib Dems are currently second place to the Tories in at least 80 seats. The party is aiming to win over Conservative voters by arguing that the traditional Tory reputation for good economic management is no longer accurate.

Labour has alienated many business leaders with its strident left-wing stance, but earlier this week 163 economists endorsed Jeremy Corbyn’s party in a letter to the Financial Times.

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Open letter in full

Business is at the heart of our economy, providing the jobs that millions depend on, the prosperity that pays for public services, and the means by which we bring together our enterprise, ambition and creativity to find new solutions and opportunities.

We also know there is a big task ahead if we are to build a prosperous, fair, inclusive and sustainable economy fit for the 21st century. We must do more to address social and geographical inequalities. We need to act boldly and urgently to tackle the climate emergency. And we must create more quality jobs and investment if the UK is to truly prosper from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Success will require government and business working together in partnership.

This means commitment to investing in the education, skills, innovation, infrastructure and regional development critical to building an inclusive, world-class digital and green economy. We need support for small and growing businesses; and commitment to fostering responsibility and sustainability.

Crucially, we need commitment to maintaining close and open relationships with our European partners and globally, upon which all of this depends.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party who have set out a credible plan for future prosperity that addresses these strengths and challenges, and we strongly welcome their commitment to working in partnership with business to achieve this vision.

Signed:

Alex Chesterman, Founder, Lovefilm, Zoopla and Cazoo, Julian Dunkerton, CEO, Superdry PLC, Nick Vetch, Managing Director, Big Yellow Group PLC*, Dinesh Dhamija, Founder Chairman, eBookers, John Stapleton, Co-founder, New Covent Garden Soup Co Ltd and Little Dish, Lord Rumi Verjee, Entrepreneur, Ewan Kirk, Founder and CIO, Cantab Capital Partners, Adam Knight, Co-Founder, Social and Sustainable Capital, Tilly McAuliffe, Owner, Think Publishing and Wanderlust Travel Media, Alan Parker CBE*, Davide Serra, Founder and CEO, Algebris Investments, Grant Gordon, Chair, Reekimlane Foundation, Adrian Binks, Chairman and CEO, Argus Media Group & EY International Entrepreneur of the Year 2017, Neil Goulden*, Lord Ian Wrigglesworth, Chairman, Durham Group & former Chairman of Port of Tyne, Andrew Dixon, Founder, ARC InterCapital Ltd, Geeta Sidhu-Robb, CEO, Nosh Detox Delivery, Richard Croft, Executive Chairman, M7 Real Estate, Michael Luger, Professor Emeritus, Alliance Manchester Business School*, Guy de Selliers, President, HCF International Advisers, Stephen Gosling, former Chief Executive, Adams Aviation Supply Co Ltd*, Julia Stone, Director, London Stone Properties, Guy Vassall-Adams QC*, David Angell, Director, Wordsmith Digital*, Mike Betts, CEO, Photocrowd, Alice Bordini Staden, Managing Director, GLC Advisors Ltd, Nick Bowers*, Sandy Chen, CEO, Graphene Composites, Christopher Clement-Davies, Team Leader, United Nations Model PPP Law Group*, Tim Cotterill, Chairman, James Lister and Sons Limited, Leah Crawford, Founder and CEO, Koalamama, Koolesh Shah, Managing Director, London Town Group, Stephen Dawson*, Alan Desmier, Founder, Contact State, Richard Duncalf, Executive Chairman, Hervia Group, Geoff Eaton, Chairman, Butcher’s Pet Care, Craig Fletcher, Founder and CEO, Wicked Sick Limited, Lindsay Forbes*, John Forbes, Partner, John Forbes Consulting LLP, Duncan Greenland, Director, AXSY*, Andrew Harrington, Partner, AHV Associates LLP, Dr. Robert Harrison, Joint Managing Partner, 24IP Law Group*, Carol J Hagh, Board Adviser and Angel Investor, Old Game New Rules, Rungway and Antler*, Peter Jenkins, CEO, Infinitesima Limited, Rajesh Kaji*, Liz Leffman, Director, Clothesource Management Services Ltd, Philip Maskell, Director, Stoneofoy Ltd*, Carl Michel, Chairman, Veeve*, Simon Murdoch, Managing Partner, Episode One Ventures, Shezi Nackvi, Managing Director, Peninvest Limited*, Matt Neale, Managing Partner, Greybridge Search & Selection Ltd, Michael O’Mara, Chairman, Michael O’Mara Books Ltd, Chris Mathias, Chair, Arbor Ventures, Jannah Patchay, Director, Markets Evolution, Chris Peer, Managing Director, Maritime House Ltd., Mark Petterson, Director and Co-Founder, Warwick Energy Limited, Pim Piers, COO, Unbiased Limited*, Henry Ritchotte, Founder, RitMir Ventures Ltd, Mark Robinson, Founder, Ellandi, Sarah Ryan, Head of M&A, Insurance Industry, Nikhil Shah, CEO, S-Cube, Richard Steer, Chairman, Gleeds*, Dr Michael Stein, CEO, Valo Therapeutics: Immuno-oncology, Kenton Ward, CEO, LIVE IT Group Ltd, Sir Graham Watson, Chairman and Managing Director, Bagehot Limited, Vivian Wineman, Chairman, Mildmay Properties Limited, Richard Wood, Founder, Wood and Company*

*Signing in personal capacity