Ms Gillan pointed out that our 30,000 registered businesses contribute £14 billion to the economy, and new business start-ups in Buckinghamshire are 30% above the national figure. She asked Mr Hague to find time before the general election to debate “the unsung heroes - those organisations that often provide the link between public policy and businesses.”

She went on to say: “One example is Buckinghamshire Business First, which has been particularly successful in creating a dynamic business environment and was recently officially invited by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to be the first non-city growth hub in the UK, because of the trends developing in our successful businesses in Buckinghamshire.”

The Rt Hon. William Hague then joined Rt Hon. Ms Gillan MP in congratulating Buckinghamshire Business First, though stopped short of agreeing to debate the importance of organisations such as ours.