“I’m deeply grateful for the faith shown in us by our members,” declared Rain Newton-Smith, director general of the CBI. OK, nobody is going to quibble with a 93% majority for the overhaul plan. But, tell us, what was the turnout? What percentage of CBI members voted in the poll?
That is the point at which the “voice of business” falls silent. It is apparently a matter of deep principle that the outside world must not know how many companies and trade associations are members of the CBI. Thus it is impossible to judge whether a grand total of 371 votes cast, plus 23 active abstentions, represents a thumping endorsement or a show of general apathy.
