It feels odd to me that in a country that prides itself about entrepreneurial spirit, often in that communal self congratulatory way that we are inclined to do at events with a free bar, we provide little or no recognition to the small business people who achieve it.
Sure there are Knighthoods and Peerages for the leaders of big business and there is glamour and public homage to sports and media celebrates. But what about the thousands of small business men and women who provide dozens of families with employment, comradeship, sickness benefits and more importantly perhaps a stake in the world of work.
Small business people who pay their taxes, collect HMRC’s taxes and VAT, pay Corporation Tax and haggle with the Knights and Peers representatives for expensive bank loans and a common sense approaches to red tape and institutional bureaucracy. Where is the public recognition for what these people put into society other than the general stereotype of the greedy boss living off the backs of noble workers?
What do I want? I’m not sure but it does feel like something is missing and it’s not a seat in the House of Commons nor is it a place in a reality TV or game show. I just feel a bit short changed and I bet I’m not alone.