Britain's legions of highly paid commentators have failed to spot the (very simple) reason why the Conservatives have become unelectable.

Put simply, they are on the anti-business side of every major policy issue.

1) Immigration. The market needs foreign workers. The Conservatives are anti-immigration

2) The Euro. Joining Europe's single currency would eliminate foreign-currency risk on 40% of UK exports. The Tories are opposed to it.

3) Housing. Britain needs more houses, yet many Conservative voters are Nimbys.

4) Education. Britain's future is as a knowledge economy, but the Conservatives seem inclined towards a regressive policy that will produce fewer graduates. Until recently, they also opposed university tuition fees.

5) Free trade. The Left is now championing free and fair trade, whereas the Conservatives demand protection for farmers.

It's the economy, stupid

and petty bureaucracy.

The best thing for business is for politicians of all shades to keep well out.

Is it any wonder that we have so many pointless laws when the vast majority of our politicians are either career politicans, straight from university etc, or lawyers.

None of them have ever had a proper job.

The ones who had a proper job tend not to be smooth enough for modern politics. Patrick Mercer, a career soldier who commanded his local regiment before becoming a Tory MP, was drummed out for commenting on race relations in the army. The consensus now seems to be that he's not a racist (the BBC often invites him to comment on security matters) but he's not got his job back...

Oi, Steelbucket, I'm a lawyer and I've got a proper job, thanks very much.