A SUFFOLK MP, who has been tasked with rebuilding Tory links with big business and City institutions, has been appointed a Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party.

A SUFFOLK MP, who has been tasked with rebuilding Tory links with big business and City institutions, has been appointed a Vice Chairman of the Conservative Party.

The twin appointments for Suffolk West MP Richard Spring were announced by new party leader David Cameron.

Mr Spring, who represents Suffolk West and was Shadow Paymaster General in Michael Howard's opposition team, will have particular responsibility for business development and entrepreneurship.

“I am delighted to have been asked to undertake this responsibility to enhance the relationship between the Conservative Party and the business community at all levels,” said Mr Spring. “We are most anxious to hear from them.”

The Tories' renowned links with the City were damaged by the party's weakness during the closing years of John Major's government and the past 8½ years in opposition. However, the new political climate engendered by David Cameron's election as leader of the party has reawakened belief among business leader that the Conservatives can win the next election.

“There is a new mood in the City and it will be my job to ensure David Cameron and the Shadow Chancellor George Osborne are able to talk to the City through the forum of the City Conservative Circle,” said Mr Spring.

The MP, who is also Deputy Chairman of the Small Business Bureau and last winter wrote a report on the regulatory environment for the financial services industry, says red tape is strangling City institutions and businesses of every size. “Unfortunately, our competitiveness as a nation has markedly declined and we need to ensure that the right policies are in place for a growing and dynamic business sector.”

Mr Spring, who is 59, was elected Tory MP for Bury St Edmunds in 1992 and following boundary changes, became MP for Suffolk West in 1997. He has considerable experience of the City of London, having worked for Merrill Lynch between 1971 and 1986, the last 10 years as Vice-President. Until he was elected an MP, he was top jobs with Hutton International Associates, Shearson Lehman and Hutton and was managing director from 1990 to 1992 of Xerox Furman Selz.