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Sir Keir Starmer is the “best of two bad candidates” to be Prime Minister, claimed entrepreneur and former Dragons\u2019 Den investor Duncan Bannatyne.<\/p>\n
The health club tycoon claimed that he was leaning towards supporting the Labour leader after Rishi Sunak’s “terrible” handling of the economy, reported The Telegraph.<\/p>\n
Mr Bannatyne said he didn\u2019t think the “Conservative Party could run a Government” and warned that the country would soon “have to declare bankruptcy”.<\/p>\n
A strong supporter of Brexit, Mr Bannatyne said he had “no idea” who to vote for in the upcoming election.<\/p>\n
However, he criticised Mr Sunak for forcing such high taxes on business.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Dragons’ Den pitch branded ‘pathetic’ by Duncan Bannatyne now turning over \u00a310m<\/strong><\/p>\n Previously, he has backed both Labour<\/span> and the Conservatives<\/span>, supporting both Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.<\/p>\n He said: “I’m what you might call a sort of crossbencher. I support the party at the time that I think has got the right policies.”<\/p>\n His comments echo criticism made by lifelong Tory peer and Carpetright founder Lord Harris of Peckham earlier this week, who said the Tories did not “deserve” to win the next election.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Mr Bannatyne, whose company Bannatyne Group operates 69 gyms, 46 spas and 3 hotels across the country, criticised the Government\u2019s decision to hike corporation tax rates from 19 to 25 percent.<\/p>\n He said: “Birmingham council has just declared bankruptcy, I think the country will have to declare bankruptcy soon.<\/p>\n “Twenty-five percent is a lot of tax on a company and some companies can\u2019t afford that. There are companies that have closed down, I\u2019ve closed five gyms since the pandemic started.<\/p>\n “I just don’t think enough has been done for businesses and to bring taxes down.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Sir-Keir-Starmer-4984294.jpg?r=1696026693650\")
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