Rapid Responses September 4, 2012 Seat inequality [Re: Clegg’s veto of fairer seats is more important than the reshuffle, yesterday] The staggering inequality in Britain’s voting system was never highlighted better than when Tony Blair won his 66 seat majority in 2005. In terms of votes cast, the Tories won the most votes in England. And yet, Labour went on to [...]
We’ve been here before: Britain’s decline and fall is not inevitable September 3, 2012 THERE is one, single policy issue that dominates British politics today: the economy. It is the preeminent issue that determines the welfare of British citizens. Whether they have a job, how well paid they are in that job, what taxes they have to pay, what healthcare and pensions they get, how good their children’s education [...]
Introducing a gold standard would not cost as much as many people fear September 3, 2012 EVER since the Republican Party decided it would set up a commission on returning to the gold standard, commentators have been discussing the pros and cons of backing the dollar with the yellow metal. One strand of criticism has been the cost of using gold. While there are strong arguments against returning to a gold [...]
Reshuffles rarely succeed in saving bad governments September 3, 2012 THE history of the reshuffle reads like a drab succession of failed careers and forgotten initiatives. Who remembers Harold Macmillan’s ruthless removal of a third of his cabinet in 1962? Who can name the 12 transport secretaries since 1997? Why was Lord Alan Sugar made an “enterprise champion” in 2009? Reshuffles come in many forms, but [...]
Should the government loosen restrictions on house building across Green Belt land? September 3, 2012 YES Tim Leunig Britain’s population is growing, and people need to live somewhere. We can build up, or we can build out. We can’t rely on regenerating former manufacturing sites, because there aren’t enough of them – particularly where housing is most needed. If we don’t built anywhere, prices will shoot up, and lots of [...]
Rapid Responses September 3, 2012 Don’t tax wealth [Re: Clegg’s confused narrative offers no remedy to Britain’s problems, Thursday] Nick Clegg’s suggestion of another tax on wealth is good politics but a dirty way to look for votes. It lacks moral merit and any foresight on how to tackle the deep-rooted problems facing an ailing UK economy in recession. He further [...]
Why we need a new golden rule for businesses – a Labour perspective September 2, 2012 NO ONE should doubt the seriousness of the public sector deficit and the need to reduce it – but it cannot be treated in isolation. In meeting its promise to explain the principles by which it would steer the economy if it gets into power, the Labour party needs a new golden rule; not only [...]
The hub of the matter: Growing aviation capacity will stop firms taking flight September 2, 2012 IN THE ongoing debate on aviation capacity, we have become gridlocked in a game of political poker. Nobody is prepared to grasp the nettle, despite the obvious benefits increased capacity would generate for our economy. We need international trade to grow. The default position at the moment is against the construction of a third runway [...]
As China is getting bolder the West is losing confidence September 2, 2012 LIVING and working in China – where I teach urban design to eager architecture students – is a constant adventure. Unlike the UK, where we seem to spend our time discussing what, how or even whether to build, it is exciting to be in a country that is actually doing it. China is building 20 [...]
Was it a risky move by Barclays to appoint Antony Jenkins as its new chief executive? September 2, 2012 YES Erin Davis All in all, we’re pleased with the appointment of Antony Jenkins but note that it is not without risk. Together, Walker and Jenkins project a credible and much-needed change in Barclays’ corporate culture. In our opinion, former chief executive Bob Diamond’s often brash demeanour exacerbated negative public and political sentiment towards the [...]