As David Cameron’s renegotiation of Britain’s membership of the EU near conclusion, it’s all about to kick off February 19, 2016 For all the late-night drama and political theatre in Brussels, the Prime Minister’s renegotiation appears to be nearing its conclusion. A deal will be presented and a referendum will follow. For those who already hold strong views on Britain’s membership of the European Union, the details of Dave’s deal will be largely irrelevant. An outer [...]
Proptech: Technology is poised to transform the UK housing market February 19, 2016 The phrase “fintech” has long since entered mainstream use, while buzzwords like adtech, edtech and medtech are becoming increasingly familiar too. Now a newish category is entering the technology startup lexicon: “proptech”. The UK’s property industry has remained stubbornly resistant to change, even as innovation reshapes entire verticals across the wider economy. Compared with, say, [...]
Is the OECD right that fiscal stimulus is required to boost growth in the global economy? February 19, 2016 Olivier Vardakoulias, an economist at the New Economics Foundation, says Yes. It is now well established that the idea of “contractionary expansion” – that cutting deficits during economic downturns enhances growth – is wrong. Recent IMF evidence suggests that additional public expenditure has a positive effect on growth, while public expenditure cuts undermine economic performance. Meanwhile, since 2008 western governments have mainly relied on monetary [...]
Donald Trump will win if “establishment” remains a dirty word among Republicans February 19, 2016 "Establishment” has become the dirtiest word you can use against your political opponents in the current US presidential cycle – the dirtiest one you can get away with on national television, at least. But the word is losing significance by the day. Six months ago, to be labelled “establishment” meant you were a mouth-piece for [...]
What kind of EU referendum voter are you? These seven groups will decide Britain’s future in Europe February 19, 2016 At least one fifth of voters is undecided on what to do in the EU referendum, according to most “in or out” polls. But as my research has found, many of those who lean one way or the other are still up for grabs. Large numbers still feel unqualified to decide and hope (even if [...]
As institutions from the EU to Opec face becoming irrelevant, could central banks be the next to encounter crisis? February 18, 2016 From the EU to Opec, institutions that have dominated the world since the Second World War are slowly becoming irrelevant. Oil producing countries would once gather in Vienna and with shameless self-interest, manage production levels under the altruistic cloak of preventing prices from tumbling or spiking. No longer. Riven by internal differences and rendered impotent by [...]
Brexit is a giant leap into the dark: Why take the risk with our prosperity? February 18, 2016 Fifteen years ago, I launched the campaign against Britain joining the euro. Our concern was that giving up the pound and control of interest rates would be damaging to the economy. Yet we saw the advantages to business and jobs of being in the Single Market. Staying outside the euro showed that Britain could negotiate arrangements [...]
Forget Foreign Office pessimism: Britain can leave the EU and find a role by embracing the Anglosphere February 18, 2016 Mention the costs and benefits of UK membership of the EU, and thoughts immediately turn to an economic calculation. But there is also another cost-benefit calculation, namely the geopolitical impact of any future Brexit on the UK’s power and influence in the world. For over 40 years, the grand strategy has been to exploit the leverage [...]
Is Apple right to refuse a request by the FBI to decrypt the iPhone of the San Bernardino shooter? February 18, 2016 Ken Munro, partner at Pen Test Partners, says Yes. This is a one-shot solution for the FBI, limited to helping solve the San Bernardino case – but not in the way you might think. First, if Apple gives in and its iOS is opened to a government agency, terrorists and other threats will simply find other [...]
Brexit won’t kill EU-UK trade – unless Brussels really is malicious and inept February 17, 2016 The debate over whether or not the UK will be able to negotiate a free trade deal with the EU following a vote for Brexit tends to proceed on the grounds that all the parties are out and out mercantilists. On the one hand, the EU needs a deal with the UK because of its [...]