Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ex-Dragons’ Den investor Theo Paphitis backs Labour after Tory ‘chaos’

The retail entrepreneur joined Sir Keir Starmer on the General Election campaign trail.

David Hughes
Tuesday 18 June 2024 17:14 BST
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis (PA)
Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis (PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Entrepreneur Theo Paphitis said Labour would end the “chaos” of the Conservative era.

The former Dragons’ Den star joined Sir Keir Starmer on the campaign trail as the Labour leader championed his party’s plans for the economy.

Mr Paphitis said Labour’s manifesto was “in line with my ambitions of having a stable business environment and the end of the chaos that we’ve had to live through over the last eight to nine years at least”.

Sir Keir and Mr Paphitis – who owns chains Ryman Stationary, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue – tried their hand at making jewellery during a campaign event in Basingstoke.

He told the BBC he had lost faith in the Conservatives.

“Stability for business, growth and wealth creation used to form part of their agenda,” he said.

“Well, they’ve forgotten it, it now that very much sits in the Labour Party.

“That’s why I’m here, I haven’t changed, they’ve gone away from me.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in