She's received backlash from several Bucks politicians.
Buckinghamshire politicians have criticised Wycombe MP Emma Reynolds after she said she did not think employers were “working people”.
Reform UK Wycombe said the Treasury minister should “tell that to the shop owner who opens at 6am” and the plumber who pays an apprentice before paying themself.
“Employers are people. They take the risk, make the payroll and create jobs in our town,” the group said.
Joy Morrissey, Conservative MP for Beaconsfield, said: “Labour does not get businesses – small or large. The Conservatives do.”
Steve Baker, the former Conservative MP for Wycombe, said: “They don’t make MPs for Wycombe like they used to.”
Ms Reynolds made the comments during an interview with GB News presenter Camilla Tominey on Sunday, November 1, while being questioned about Labour’s tax promises and its definition of “working people”.
Asked about employers being affected by Labour’s economic policies, Ms Reynolds said: “I don’t think employers are working people, they are companies.”
Ms Tominey then asked whether she was not a working person because she employed a cleaner. Ms Reynolds replied: “No, but you’re an employee probably of your company, and I’m saying there is a difference between employers and employees.”
She said Labour had not increased the headline rate of income tax or VAT, or National Insurance for employees.
Science minister Chris McDonald said on LBC on Monday: “I do think employers are working people.” He described paying staff before himself when he ran a business. He also suggested Reynolds was distinguishing VAT on corporate entities from National Insurance paid by employees, rather than referring to small-business owners.
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