A TOP Tory has visited Ipswich to get a first hand view of how trade is bearing up amid the struggling economy.

A TOP Tory has visited Ipswich to get a first hand view of how trade is bearing up amid the struggling economy.

Alan Duncan, Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, met Tory candidate for Ipswich Ben Gummer for a tour of Associated British Port's Ipswich base yesterday.

During his visit Mr Duncan stressed how difficult the next few years would be for traders and the general public, claiming his party is the best position to “clean up the mess” left by the current government.

He said: “I was very interested to come and see the port because trade is important, especially in light of the current economic downturn.

“The main concern for people at the moment is the economy. We are facing an economic downturn and Gordon Brown is seriously guilty.

“Following the past ten years we should now be in a position where we have lower taxation, lower borrowing, higher savings and a bigger pensions pot.

“All of these things have been destroyed so now with oil prices rising there is nothing in the kitty.

“There is going to be a really difficult energy crisis next year with fuel prices increasing and gas prices 40 per cent higher than they are today.

“People who understand business can see this is coming and make proper plans.”

Mr Duncan also took the opportunity to extol the virtues of his party's candidate for Ipswich at the next general election, Ben Gummer.

He said: “I'm rather impressed with him. We have got some fantastic, highly-skilled candidates, many of them with an understanding of local issues.”

Mr Gummer said: “I'm happy Alan was able to come and see a key employer in Ipswich.

“These are worrying times for us all and the port is at the sharp end of our import and export trade and therefore feels the effect of any decline in the economy.

“It was a very good chance for ABP and other businesses in Ipswich to tell Alan Duncan what they want from a future Conservative government to make their lives easier so they can employ more people.”

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