Last night, the first hustings of the general election campaign for the Richmond (Yorks) constituency got underway. The evening was set as a seven way debate between the candidates on what they would do to support business in this country with questions from the audience. For me, it was an excellent opportunity to talk about a topic close to my heart. Small business is in my blood. I started my business life working on the shop floor of my mother's local pharmacy and it struck me even then how regulations and red tape can make life difficult for small British businesses only looking to grow and serve their community. It was this experience that motivated me to become an investor in small and medium sized British businesses and one of the many things I'd like to campaign on if elected: to get behind those who innovate, create jobs and improve their communities. And this enterprising drive really can change lives. For 80% of people moving from unemployment to work, it's these smaller businesses that give them that opportunity. And as anyone in our market towns and rural areas will tell you, they are so often community institutions which come to define the fantastic places in which we live.