Eight reforms to position Britain for the coming Asian consumer revolution May 27, 2015 We live in a truly exciting age. In the first half of the twenty-first century, the world economy could triple in size. By 2050, two-thirds of the top 30 economies are likely to be those classified as emerging today. And by 2050 the seismic shift will have only just begun. The potential sevenfold increase in [...]
As a new corruption scandal hits Fifa, is the world footballing body now unsalvageable? May 27, 2015 John Williams, senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Leicester, says Yes We need a new governing body for the world game. News of the latest allegations of bribery at Fifa is not really news at all – merely the continuation of an all-too-familiar tale, a destructive narrative which has been running for decades. [...]
Britain needs an industrial strategy – and it doesn’t mean picking winners May 26, 2015 The Queen’s Speech today will outline how the new Conservative government will put the contents of its pre-election manifesto into practice. It will contain many measures, including an EU referendum bill that will attract a lot of attention. But the big question is this: how will the new government meet the tax and spending commitments [...]
Central planners don’t get incentives – but markets can be faulty too May 26, 2015 Perhaps the most enjoyable outcome of the General Election is the abuse now being heaped on the metropolitan liberal elite from many quarters. Theirs is truly a difficult mindset to comprehend, based as it is on an unshakeable belief in their own omniscience. Yet this is confounded on an almost daily basis by the response [...]
EU referendum: London banks may flock to Dublin but Brexit wouldn’t be all positive for Ireland May 26, 2015 If the UK leaves the EU, the impact will be felt far beyond its borders. Indeed, one country that will be particularly affected is Ireland. In the short term, there will be a painful economic dislocation, as the two close trading partners adjust to the UK’s new status. But it could be far more positive [...]
As Ryanair’s profits soar, are analysts right to attribute it to its new customer-friendly policy? May 26, 2015 Milorad Ajder is managing director of the Ipsos Mori Reputation Centre, says Yes The penny dropped for Ryanair when it was forced to issue a profit warning in September 2013. Until then, it had prospered on the back of a no-nonsense offer, where price was the only thing that mattered to customers. All well and [...]
Despite Obama’s silver tongue, the future of Iraq is looking pretty bleak after fall of Ramadi to Islamic State May 25, 2015 No Mr President, losing Ramadi is not a “tactical setback” – it is a catastrophe. Having also got by on my wits in graduate school, I always had a sense that I understood the elusive failings of Barack Obama far too well. When he obfuscates, he does so elegantly, often speaking in half-truths, illustrating his [...]
Thatcher and the crisis: It’s time to acknowledge the myth of deregulation May 25, 2015 There is no shortage of commentators who blame Margaret Thatcher’s supposed deregulation of the City for the crash of 2008. But surely it is unreasonable to blame her for events that happened nearly 30 years after 1979. And, on another level, it is a complete misunderstanding of the Thatcher period. I explain this in Thatcher: [...]
Why bankers must be allowed to speak out in their own defence May 25, 2015 Headlines were generated worldwide on last week’s announcement of $5.7bn (£3.7bn) of criminal and regulatory fines against major banks, in the wake of the global FX investigation. Many papers asked the question: “why aren’t these crooked bankers in jail?” But a better question might be: has any of the five UK and US regulators involved [...]
Could an early EU referendum scupper the UK’s chances of a successful renegotiation? May 25, 2015 Brian Monteith, communications director of Global Britain, says Yes. An early referendum helps only the most slavish one-European-state federalists supporting the unreformed status quo. Time is needed to first convince the EU that treaty change is required, so it can be enshrined in law. Second, to secure detailed change, not sound-good slogans that are just [...]