The Sussex branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), has urged General Election candidates to stop playing party politics with the business community.

The branch applauded the fact the three main parties had published stand-alone manifestos on the small business sector and found good and bad in all three.

The Tories' commitment to exempt the smallest businesses from a raft of administrative regulations was welcomed, as were their proposals to repeal IR35 and reduce fuel tax.

However, there was disappointment at no mention of a move towards allowing small businesses to retain more of their profits for expansion.

The Liberal Democrats' plan to create an all-purpose small business inspectorate to avoid overlap and ensure ease of compliance for small firms was also welcomed. But the party's plans for business rates were given the thumbs-down.

The FSB said it looked forward to Labour's commitment to cut the time taken to deal with government regulations and payroll burdens and the proposal to free up the Competition Commission from political interference.

However, there was disappointment at the lack of any moves to roll back employment regulations.

FSB policy chairman Donald Martin said: "We are pleased all the parties are fighting to prove themselves to be the party of small businesses.

"This must be founded on the promise of policies that will be of real help to small businesses and individual politicians must convince us that they will deliver.

"We are tired of promises without delivery."

The organisation was also critical of business leaders playing party games by signing up to one or other political party.

Mr Martin said such moves diverted attention from the debate on policies.

"Of more importance are the personal views of the candidates standing at this election, 659 of whom will go on to become MPs.

"Business leaders should be working to convince them of the case for the small business community.

"Whichever party is then elected would be exposed to pressure points from across all sides of the House of Commons on issues pertinent to the world of small businesses."