The majority of businesses want to see a Conservative and Lib Dem coalition government according to a new poll.

A snap poll of 500 businesses by the British Chamber of Commerce revealed nearly half (45%) thought a Conservative-led union would be the best outcome for UK business.

The results also showed that 58% of companies want reducing the UK’s budget deficit to be the top priority.

Only a handful of businesses who took part in the survey are based in Scotland.

Bob Collier, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: “The snap poll conducted by the BCC shows what everybody already knows – that stable government acting in the national interest and taking as a number one priority the reduction of the budget deficit is the best way forward at the UK level.

“The outcome in Scotland was, in contrast to the overall result, contrary to this; and it remains to be seen what the ramifications of this are in political terms. Only 15 of the 504 (3%) respondents were from Scotland compared to c. 8% of businesses, so this survey does not give a clear reading of the sentiments of Scottish business, and may simply indicate the different pattern in Scotland.

“The mathematics of the election outcome shows that, in theory at least, a coalition of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats could provide the most stability – if they can agree a programme. Though the parties have, on the face of it, very different views of the priorities for reducing the budget deficit, the truth of the matter is that the plans of all of the parties vary only by degree and by timing. Politics may yet get in the way of what’s best for the UK.

A separate survey by the Federation of Small Businesses revealed the election has left firms lacking confidence in the economy, with half wanting another election within six months.

A survey of 3,200 companies showed that 54% would not be hiring staff or introducing new products and services in the wake of the political turmoil.

FSB chairman John Walker said: "These figures worryingly show that small firms have lost confidence in the economy following the outcome of the election just as the business community was beginning to recover from the downturn.

"At a time of economic uncertainty small businesses really need a government - of whatever make-up - to get on with the job and set out a plan for dealing with the deficit and returning the UK economy to growth.”