The head of the British Chamber of Commerce is urging politicians to avoid "point-scoring" in their general election campaigns next year.
John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said such tactics could deflect from the important issues facing the UK economy.
In his letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband, Mr Longworth said: "For many businesses, one of the greatest sources of challenge and uncertainty in 2015 isn't the state of global markets, but home-grown politics.
"You must focus on the causes, not the symptoms, of the challenges that face our United Kingdom."
The UK's economy will be an important issue in the run-up to the general-election in May 2015.
The Chamber of Commerce for Nottinghamshire says the past year has seen strong economic growth across the region, and although some uncertainty lies ahead with the election on the horizon, the opportunity exists to place businesses in the East Midlands at the heart of a UK economy built for success.
Liz Fothergill CBE, president of the East Midlands Chamber, said: ""In the run-up to next year's election and beyond, the Chamber will be actively campaigning to ensure the next Parliament places business at the centre of local growth, delivers on our long-term infrastructure needs, fixes the link between education and the world of work, reduces the cost of doing business and supports firms to succeed overseas.
"Whoever is in power after the next election will need to take more tough decisions about austerity in order to further reduce the UK's budget deficit and bring down its mountain of debt.
"The Chamber will work hard with its local elected representatives to ensure that any cuts to public spending do not have a disproportionate impact on the private sector.
"Throughout the course of 2014, firms in the East Midlands delivered another strong performance, which gives them another solid platform upon which to build in 2015. The Chamber will support them all along the way."
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.