ANNOUNCEMENT: The General election small business debate

The small business vote is crucially important in the General Election so to ensure the voices of entrepreneurs, business owners and start-ups are heard we're delighted to invite you to a special small business debate.

Taking place in ICAEW Chartered Accountants' Hall in London on 18 May, Enterprise Nation founder Emma Jones will host a panel of high profile candidates and spokespeople. They are:

• Matt Hancock, former digital and culture minister and Conservative candidate for West Suffolk

• Ibrahim Dogus, chairman of SME4Labour and Labour candidate for cities of London and Westminster

• Lord Monroe Palmer, Lords spokesperson for SMEs, Liberal Democrats

• Rachel Collinson, Green Party spokesperson for business

• Ernie Warrender, spokesperson for small business, UKIP

You will have an opportunity to pose questions from the floor and vote in our digital poll before and after the debate, which will measure whether speakers have swayed your entrepreneurial vote!

Doors open at 6pm for drinks and networking with the debate running from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. You are also invited to stay on and watch a live screening of the planned ITV Leaders' Debate at 8pm.

Emma Jones, founder of Enterprise Nation, said: "In this unprecedented snap election, the political parties are in danger of failing to address the active small business constituency that craves support and certainty around the economy, tax and trade deals.

"Small businesses employ an estimated 11.4m people, that's 47% of total UK private sector employment. There are now more than five million who are self-employed, making entrepreneurship the new normal. It's these business owners who are keen to hear the respective plans and policies of the major parties, to make decisions on how to vote and plan for the future.

"Entrepreneurs have a vested interest in supporting the British economy and we're delighted we can offer them this unique opportunity to test party politics on the issues that are important to them."

Register for your free ticket below: