The Tories are failing to find a market response to Ed Miliband’s anti-capitalism September 30, 2013 THE ROLE of the state has long been the major fault line in UK political discourse. This is not surprising, given that the interaction between state and citizen has changed so profoundly over the past 100 years. And with Ed Miliband’s challenge to the market economy last week, and yesterday’s attempted defence by George Osborne, [...]
Italy’s government may survive but vital reform looks ever more unlikely September 30, 2013 IT WAS always a matter of when, not if, Silvio Berlusconi would pull the plug on Italy’s coalition government – especially since the former Prime Minister’s definitive tax fraud conviction in August. The moment came at the weekend, when Berlusconi invited all ministers from his party to step down. Said, done – and Italy now [...]
Letters to the Editor – 01/10 – Climate change, Fracking in Britain, Best of Twitter September 30, 2013 Climate change [Re: Global warming alarmism is no longer scientifically or politically sustainable, yesterday] Excellent article. We should repeal the Climate Change Act, get rid of the EU’s renewable energy targets and subsidies, and introduce sensible energy policies, run by a sensible energy minister and Department for Energy. Phillip Bratby There’s nothing wrong with renewables. [...]
The US is busy reinventing its future – the rest of the world isn’t so lucky September 29, 2013 I'VE always been a John Steinbeck/ Bruce Springsteen sort of American. I share their common mantra, "Aren't things terrible here, but I wouldn't want to be anyplace else." Being clear-eyed about the US's failings, while remaining romantic about it at heart isn't easy. But America's extraordinary capacity to right its ship – to reinvent itself [...]
City Matters: A twenty-first century Silk Road between East and West is long overdue September 29, 2013 OVER two millennia ago, the opening of the Silk Road in Asia had a transformative effect on trading right across the world. This remarkable development played a crucial role in facilitating previously unimaginable exchanges of goods, services, ideas and even culture across borders. In our information age, new technology has – of course – revolutionised [...]
Global warming alarmism is no longer scientifically or politically sustainable September 29, 2013 THE global warming doomsday cult is coming to an end. Belief that the world is doomed, unless we replace coal and gas by renewables costing two or three times as much, is already driving up home energy bills and making manufacturing uncompetitive. But last week both Ed Miliband and a report from the Intergovernmental Panel [...]
Letters to the Editor – 30/09 – Miliband’s price fix, Best of Twitter September 29, 2013 Miliband’s price fix [Re: We can bring down UK energy costs without Miliband’s populist price fix, Thursday] Ed Miliband’s misguided proposal to place a cap on energy prices does not acknowledge the severe implications that will be felt across the UK energy sector. Miliband should instead encourage a multi layered approach, with a more open [...]
How business can fight back and win against opportunistic political attacks September 26, 2013 ED MILIBAND’S move against energy firms at this week’s Labour conference was the latest in a long line of political attacks on British businesses. Drinks firms, airlines, supermarkets, food retailers and, of course, banks have all been recent targets for politicians. This trend shows no sign of abating. It would be wrong to suggest that [...]
The Long View: Don’t hate politicians: We’re partly to blame for their professional deformation September 26, 2013 I LOVE this time of year. It’s a shame politicians have to ruin it. The weather is cool and crisp but mild enough not to be winter-miserable, the year is running towards its end but there’s enough time left to get stuff finished first. Nature is filling all fruit with ripeness to the core – [...]
Police can intensify the fight against crime with private sector expertise September 26, 2013 THE ECONOMIC crisis has had a lasting effect on London. Much has been negative. But less well-known is that, with the government determined to cut the deficit, the public and private sectors are increasingly finding common ground, by working together in unique and integrated new ways. London’s police force is a case in point. I [...]