Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn turns down invitation by the Confederation of British Industry to its annual conference
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has declined an invitation from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) to address its annual conference.
The CBI said it invited the leader of the opposition to its annual conference immediately after he was appointed, but "we received a response on 26 October, saying he was unable to attend".
Corbyn was invited to speak at the CBI conference to give a “general speech”, but a Labour party spokesperson said he had “could not make the dates”.
The spokesperson added: “We offered Angela Eagle as a replacement, but that was declined. We’re trying to work on other dates where we can work with the CBI. We want to engage with business.”
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However, CBI director-general John Cridland, who is due to step down next, week said to the Financial Times: “I am really disappointed he has not accepted my invitation to speak at the conference.”
This is not the first time Corbyn has clashed with the CBI, with Cridland having previously commented of the Labour leader’s ideas of "people’s quantitative easing" would not work.
He also commented on Corbyn’s party speech: "We share Labour's aim of ensuring the benefits of growth are spread more evenly across the UK, but we don't recognise Corbyn's characterisation of the economy.”
"Business wants to see a commitment to fiscal responsibility as getting down the deficit is vital to providing high-quality public services, and a recognition of the need to encourage an entrepreneurial Britain."
Read more: Business group CBI ramps up forecast for British GDP as wages get a lift
However the Labour party spokesperson acknowledged that there were substantive policy disagreements, but added that Labour and Corbyn wanted to open a dialogue with business and these differences of opinion had nothing to do with Corbyn’s inability to attend.
The conference, which will take place next week, is expected to be attended over 1,200 international business and political leaders. Last year David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg all addressed the conference.
Conversations on the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union are likely to dominate the conference this year, as Cameron prepares to set out his renegotiation demands in full.