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SMALL BUSINESS JURY VERDICT TOUGH ON BLAIR


11th May 2007

- A half of small businesses say Britain has not been boosted by Blair's government - Brown will be no better for UK small businesses.


58% of small businesses polled recognise that business is taken seriously by Labour. However, a majority of those that expressed an opinion (49%) do not feel that Britain has become a better place for business under Tony Blair's rule despite a period of great business growth and an extremely stable economy. A half of UK small businesses do not believe that Gordon Brown will have a positive impact on business, should he succeed Blair.


The Orange Business Jury, conducted by Ipsos MORI, polled 614 decision makers in Britain's small businesses immediately following Tony Blair's resignation speech to ascertain the impact of Labour's leadership on British Business.


"The Orange Business Jury poll shows that the small business community feel they could have been better supported during the last ten years of government, despite the fact that it has been a positive decade for business growth with an extremely stable economy," said Neil Laidler, Vice President, Orange Business Services UK. "The results of the poll show that Gordon Brown would have work to do to win over this influential business group, but he clearly has a great chance to start afresh by demonstrating his support of business in the UK."


The results of the poll show that:


  • 47% disagree that Britain has become a better place to do business during Tony Blair's premiership of which 1 in 5 strongly disagree; compared to 39% who agree.
  • 50% do not believe that  Brown will have a positive impact on British business should he be elected; compared to 29% who perceive he will have a positive impact.
  • As chancellor, 49% disagree that Gordon Brown had a positive impact on small businesses; compared to 37% who agree
  • 55% of decision makers in Britain's small businesses do not believe that Labour is the party of business; compared to 29% who agree it is the party of business.

About Orange Business Jury

The Orange Business Jury is a panel of over1000 small business owners, managers and decision makers working for companies with up to 250 employees. The panel is run by Ipsos MORI. The survey is conducted using The 3rd Degree software tool, via SMS, and allows a fast response to issues as and when they affect the small business community. The study was conducted on the 10th May 2007, at 12.30pm following Tony Blair's announcement. Results are reported as at 5.30pm on the same day. The response rate was between 58% and 51%for the questions asked.


About Orange

Orange is a key brand of the France Telecom Group, providing mobile, broadband, fixed, business and entertainment services across Europe. It is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with more than 150 million customers on five continents.


In June, 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile, broadband and multi-play offers. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries with network reach in 220.


In June, 2006, Orange became the single brand for mobile, broadband and multi-play offers. In addition, Orange Business Services became the new banner for business communications solutions. Orange Business Services is present in 166 countries with network reach in 220.


In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of March 31 2007, Orange had over 16.5 million customers in the UK - 15.1 million active mobile customers and over 1.5 million Internet customers.


Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this  material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited. Further information about Orange and France Telecom can be found on the Orange website at www.orange.co.uk or the France Telecom at www.francetelecom.com