Tory Donor Temerko: Wake up, Greg Clark - The Industrial Revolution is Coming

LONDON, December 6, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Britain's industrial strategy is faltering under the leadership of Greg Clark to the point that Britain risks becoming "the Italy of Northern Europe". A third global industrial exhibition in Britain and real commitment to fighting bureaucracy are needed to galvanise it, according to leading energy industrialist, politician and Conservative party donor Alexander Temerko.

In an article for ConservativeHome entitled 'A wake-up call for Clark' Mr Temerko highlighted that real progress on industrialisation has been slow, despite the Prime Minister repeatedly emphasising its importance. He put the blame at Mr Clark's door.

Alexander Temerko said: "The right things have been said, everyone has got excited, but nothing has really happened yet. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Minister in charge just do not seem to be up to the task. Clark needs to wake up and smell the proverbial coffee."

The businessman stressed that bureaucracy must be tackled and links between business and politics improved in order to achieve real progress on industrial strategy. He compared the current situation to politicians operating "within a sort of impregnable fortress, with civil servants blocking industry cooperation". 

Mr Temerko has identified a global industrial exhibition as the initiative that could help make Britain a great industrial nation once again. He said:

"We need a high-impact initiative to galvanise industrial strategy growth. In the past, Britain has hosted two major global exhibitions showcasing its trade and industry. Afterwards, it was an undisputed leader of the industrial revolution, pioneering modern manufacturing… Now would be a good time to follow this example. I propose a third global exhibition in this country, which will enable us to select the technologies crucial to modernising our industry and keep our position as a global leader in scientific research. 

"Hosting an industrial exhibition as a new national project on the same scale as the 2012 Olympics would help to unite the regions, our people and our politicians. Crucially, it would create the foundation for Britain moving from an import-orientated country to an export-orientated state." 

Mr Temerko concluded: "Both politicians and business leaders alike now have a once in a generation opportunity to make history. It must not be wasted."