I was petrified as I told my plight at Tories’ conference (From Worcester News)

I was petrified as I told my plight at Tories’ conference

9:00am Tuesday 30th September 2008

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A BLACKSMITH from Pershore stood before hundreds of people at the Conservative Party conference to discuss the struggle he faces as the owner of a small business.

Steve Cooper, of SE Cooper Blacksmiths, admitted he was “petrified” as he took to the main stage before politicians, delegates and party members on Sunday afternoon to outline how the economic downturn is having a dramatic impact on his firm.

Mr Cooper said he had written to Tory leader David Cameron “in desperation” to protest at the way his business has struggled over recent months.

And when Mr Cameron’s team responded by asking him to come and address the opening day of the party’s annual conference in Birmingham, the 41-year-old blacksmith decided to take his chance.

“I was so humbled,” he said. “These guys, to my mind, will be the next leaders of the country, and so for me to be given the opportunity to stand up there and say my piece before 500 people was unbelievable.

“The fact is I struggle going into schools and giving motivational talks to the kids. To go and do something like this – well, I was petrified.”

Mr Cooper made his speech alongside shadow chancellor George Osborne and shadow work and pensions secretary Chris Grayling.

“I stood there and spoke my piece in layman’s terms, and afterwards Mr Osborne patted me on the back and said ‘well done’,” Mr Cooper said.

“Some people even stood up and clapped.”

Mr Cooper has been told his plight will be used as an example by Mr Cameron in the Tory party leader’s own speech later this week.

The blacksmith, who says he is a Conservative supporter but not a financial backer of the party, believes most small businesses are struggling – and he lays the blame squarely at the door of the Labour government.

“Under the Conservative government, everything seemed to be going well,” he said. “But once Labour got in it just flat-lined. And at the start of this year it was like someone turning off a switch – the work just stopped. We’re hanging on by our teeth.”

Mr Cooper listed high taxes and excessive red tape as key areas of concern for small business owners.

“Small business like mine need help,” he said.

“I never dreamed I’d get the opportunity to stand up there and do something about it.”

l Worcester’s Conservative parliamentary candidate Robin Walker hailed plans outlined by the Conservatives yesterday to put a two-year freeze on council taxes.

Mr Walker said the policy announcement at the Tory conference was “good news for those who need it most”.

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