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Labour lost the vote of small business owners like me  | Letter
UK NewsPoliticsBusiness•May 13, 2026 at 5:46 PMNational

Labour lost the vote of small business owners like me | Letter

By Guardian Staff•The Guardian - UK News

Restaurant owner Nicola Powell says the government’s tax burden has made her poorer even as she works harderYour report (Reform wins across northern England overturn decades of Labour control, 8 May) touched on Labour losing support among small business owners. I wanted to offer the perspective of a small independent business owner who has traditionally supported Labour.Labour’s poor local election results may reflect a growing frustration among small business owners who no longer feel recognised as “working people”. In hospitality, hair and beauty, retail and trades, there are thousands upon thousands of us keeping local economies alive while taking home increasingly modest incomes ourselves. Continue reading...

Restaurant owner Nicola Powell says the government’s tax burden has madeherpoorer even as she works harder

Your report (Reform wins across northern England overturn decades of Labour control, 8 May) touched on Labour losing support among small business owners. I wanted to offer the perspective of a small independent business owner who has traditionally supported Labour.

Labour’s poor local election results may reflect a growing frustration among small business owners who no longer feel recognised as “working people”. In hospitality, hair and beauty, retail and trades, there are thousands upon thousands of us keeping local economies alive while taking home increasingly modest incomes ourselves.

Continue reading...

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