Big news: I’m getting into politics.

Originally sent exclusively to The Letter subscribers on July 21st. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every Monday at 7am? Subscribe for free here.

Here’s a funny thing: a few months ago, I was approached to help in politics.

Something I usually shy away from quite massively.

The funny thing is, when you write newsletters, make podcasts, produce YouTube videos, build businesses, and carry responsibilities - you’ll get asked to do more, and indeed, I was asked.

Responsibility leads to responsibility.

I believe you are your own economy - no government can magic a better life for you.

You have to make things happen if you want more to happen.

What a government can do, however, is act as the WD40 for business and making things a little easier or, conversely, a whole lot harder.

This year, the recent turnover tax - punishing employers with an increase in NICs - made me really quite cross.

I didn’t realise I had it in me. A lion roared inside me: I was no longer merely annoyed; I was concerned.

You can only squeeze a person so much. I now had a potential opportunity to sit in front of decision-makers and plead for common sense and reason.

I so passionately believe that business and enterprise, and growing our economy, are the routes to help all folk. If we want less pot holes, we want more infrastructure, teachers and nurses - we need a thriving economy.

Politics has always been a big interest of mine. From a high level, what I’ve always done is campaign to MPs from both sides of the House - to champion enterprise and entrepreneurship.

Those I’ve been fortunate enough to meet in my career are incredibly hardworking folk who care passionately about the people they serve.

They listen, but they have far less power than you might think. 

So politics, alas, was never for me - I never believed it was possible to do an effective job.

The system is set for ministers to have the power.

Until now. Next year, the UK begins a major move towards local government reform, with mayors heading up counties.

These mayors will meet with top government officials and ministers, voice their beliefs, and champion causes - just like London and Manchester have done.

They’ll have powers that can actually get things done and become part of real change.

My values sit centre right.

I want to reward those who take risks, respect communities, and frankly, I believe no one can spend or invest their money better than themselves.

What I see happening is not smart, we're punishing the economy growers and they're leaving. So sad.

So when the Conservative Party asked me to stand, I had a long, hard think.

Can I make a difference?

Can I serve my county and use my position to help entrepreneurs succeed?

If I didn’t give it a go, would the 70-year-old me be disappointed?

So...

I’ve decided to run for Mayor of Greater Essex - representing our 1.9 million residents and 94,000 businesses.

I will bring all my life experience of running companies and dealing with the absurdities imposed by the government as a voice of common sense.

To help hardworking folk get on.

I’ve already learned a lot since the process of narrowing down to be one of the final three candidates began.

The politics of it all is unbelievable.

I will still be Chairman of my own businesses, and that experience will help me assemble a talented team to lead the county that enabled me to build my businesses in the first place.

Lastly, you have my word: I will stand up for business owners who risk so much to drive our economy across the country, for far too long governments have ignored SME's, I would love to be the spokeperson for us to say "don't do that, that's a chocolate teapot of an idea".

Next week, I’ll let you know if I’ve won the vote to become the final candidate - before the real work begins.

Lastly, I was on facebook marketplace this week, I love bargains and I've found some real gems on there, my eye caught some bloke selling TV's.

the ad read...

 "televisions for a £1, with the volume stuck on full"

 I thought to myself; I'll have them, I can't turn that down.

To your continued success,

James

PS. Gang serious news Business Masterclass is next week! You don’t want to miss this business changing event, get your tickets here!