While many businesses pay lip service to competition, they are concerned that the government is pushing consumer interests too far, regardless of the reality of business life. Many prominent Labour business supporters have now left the government, or their businesses. The fall of Bob Ayling, the chief executive of British Airways and a supporter of many Labour projects, was just the latest in the series of problems for some of Labour's most important business supporters. Prominent businessmen Lord Simon of BP, and Geoffrey Robinson have both left the government, while science minister Lord Sainsbury's company is in deep trouble. The reduction in Labour support can be overdone.
Business does believe that so far the government appears to be managing the economy well.
With a Conservative victory at the next election looking unlikely, it is still prepared to work with the government, but the honeymoon appears to be over.