Editor's comment: Joining up the dots

You would expect an industry that accounts for 8% of GDP to have a pretty powerful voice. But it’s a fact that while the construction sector is Britain’s biggest industry, it also has one of the weakest voices in terms of lobbying.

Agriculture and road transport, both of which are smaller – and shrinking – industries have far louder voices, the ear of the government (despite the fact they are hardly pushing the boundaries of progress), and, most vital of all, they seem to get things done.

But look at the construction industry. It’s a huge part of Britain’s GDP, a growing sector, and one which has an impact on the life of every man, woman and child in the UK. Yet it just doesn’t have the power of either farming or road haulage.

Construction Confederation chairman James Wates has hit the nail on the head. His trawl through the world of construction unearthed 300 organisations – a “whole cottage industry”. And he believes the industry has become worse in recent years, with breakaway factions setting up.

Of course, these breakaway organisations may have chosen to do that precisely because they did feel under-represented. But dividing the industry even further will hardly work – divide and rule is winning, and that is no use for anyone.

Finding a way forward won’t be easy. Even the strongest of trade associations – like the National Farmers’ Union – has members who criticise its every outcome. But that outcome could, in many cases, have been far, far worse without its early intervention and lobbying.

The construction industry is growing right now, and there’s plenty of opportunity for everyone. Divide and rule is fine while businesses are enjoying the good times, but when times become hard – as they inevitably will – just who will stand up for you and your business?

Emma Penny, Editor, Contract Journal [18 October 2006, p 68]