I read the apology for the Tories from Brent Hoberman et al (Letters, 30 April) with disbelief. At the heart of their paean to Tory policy on business startups, they write: “Key have been [coalition] schemes to boost investment in startups … which have created the best environment for venture capital in Europe.” They insist that to change course would be “bad for jobs, bad for growth, and bad for innovation”. Why my scepticism? I turn back to the previous day’s letter from Alex Orr (29 April), who reminds us: “When it comes to total private- and public-sector investment, the UK’s record is appalling, coming in 32nd position out of the 35 most advanced economies in the world.”
So what’s wrong with our entrepreneurs? Dim? Disingenuous? Naive? Ignorant of international practice and standards, and heading for a fall if Tory austerity and recession are allowed to bite again?
Nigel Blake
Byfleet, Surrey
• The entrepreneurs supporting the Tories seem to forget that the internet was an entirely government-sponsored initiative (born 30 October 1969) that private enterprise would never have come up with free for use. It was only made easy to use more than 20 years later, when Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web – not taking any profit for himself – which could have made him immensely rich. Some similar public spirit by these entrepreneurs would not go amiss.
Ken Baldry
London
• I owned a subcontracting construction business based in the north-east for 27 years employing 80 well-paid directly employed joiners, many ex-shipyard employees, and you will know what a previous Tory government did for them. We specialised in fitting-out contracts in the health and education fields, and never failed to make a profit. In April 2012 we were forced into administration due to the coalition’s austerity cutbacks. Most of the employees found similar jobs but only as self-employed or on zero-hours contracts below trade union rates.
Graham Thomas
Newcastle upon Tyne
• Thanks for publishing the letter from the startups. I now know of even more companies to avoid.
Eddie Wolinski
Mossley, Lancashire
