Pictured above: Alan Durham

Businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire have voted against a hung Parliament in a series of straw polls.

Many opinion polls suggest a growing possibility of no single party gaining an overall majority after the General Election but businesses believe that outcome would lack certainty.

At a series of events organised by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, politicians running for Parliament were invited to state their case in front of local business people. 

Then, at the end, delegates were asked to vote on whether they would welcome a hung Parliament.

The overwhelming response was 'no' while other issues raised included everything from cutting the national deficit and the increase in National Insurance to the proposed changes to paternity allowance. 

Alan Durham, director of policy at the Chamber, said: "It was clear at all of the events that a hung Parliament would not prove popular for our members.

"Businesses believe it is far too unreliable for them to depend upon, with the concern that the big decisions would not be made without a majority Government. 

"The five events were a great opportunity for our members to raise their concerns with prospective MPs and the business people who attended felt it was a very worthwhile exercise.

"Whatever the result on election night, we will seek to work closely with all of our members of Parliament in order to get the best possible deal for companies in Coventry and Warwickshire."