Politicians 'need to get a grip'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, said the country was at a "burning platform moment", threatened by critical issues which needed to be tackled urgently.

At a CBI dinner near Gatwick, he criticised the apparent failure of politicians across the parties to address "huge challenges".

He said: "The United Kingdom faces some of the biggest economic, social and environmental challenges of our lifetime - challenges that go right to the very heart of what kind of country we want this to be.

"Britain finds itself at what you might call a burning platform moment. We can either take the bold steps that will be necessary to take us forward to a prosperous but different kind of future, or we can pretend to ignore the need for change, and risk going down with the ship.

"Instead of focusing on this big picture, politicians appear wholly preoccupied with what's going on within the Westminster village, and in doing what they can to strengthen their own positions over the short term."

Commenting on the MPs' expenses scandal, Mr Lambert said: "In response to this public rage, politicians are airily throwing around ideas for constitutional reform - ideas which may be desirable in themselves and will need serious discussion in calmer times, but which are a massive diversion at a time when so many urgent policy decisions have to be agreed and implemented."

The CBI leader added that the UK faced a fiscal deficit this year on a scale which had never been experienced before in peacetime.

A spokesman for the Business Department said: "The Government will continue to lead with bold and decisive government in order to lead the country out of recession. Many initiatives have been announced and more will follow in the coming weeks."