Chuka Umunna today said the Liberal Democrats were the party of “business and entrepreneurship” in a speech to City bosses.
The former Labour MP said Conservative Cabinet ministers had attacked business leaders instead of listening to them over the past few years.
He told the Confederation of British Industry today: “The Prime Minister said, ‘F**k business’, while the former foreign secretary said it was ‘completely inappropriate’ for you to air your concerns on government policy.
“Many business leaders I speak to believe the government provided by the Tories since 2017 has been the worst for business they can remember.
“In our words and deeds we are now the only main party that is pro-business, enterprise and entrepreneurship.” He also hit out at his former party saying a Labour government would “spark panic” among major employers and businesses.
The Streatham MP is set to run in the Cities of London and Westminster at the next election.
Tory MP Mark Field, who has represented the seat since 2001, announced earlier this month he would be stepping down, a move that could open a pathway to Mr Umunna’s challenge.
Mr Umunna quit the Labour Party in February to launch Change UK before defecting again to the Lib Dems. He is currently chairman of the group
co-ordinating the party’s general election manifesto.
He claimed the Lib Dems will play a more decisive role in a snap election than at any other recent time, adding: “It will be a truly extraordinary election, with some unprecedented results, and a very high level of tactical voting.”
