RAPID RESPONSES May 14, 2012 Brown belt building [Re: Restrictions choke London, Friday] Tim Leunig has a balanced view of development. He recognises the role of open space, green belts and “fingers”, and transport links. But I disagree with him on the creation of new suburbs. He himself says why: Los Angeles. Do we really want urban sprawl stretching from [...]
We are in a world without leaders: The G-Zero will soon replace the G7 May 13, 2012 WHEN so many problems bestride borders, the need for international cooperation has never been greater. Cooperation demands leadership, however. Only leaders have the leverage to coordinate multinational responses to transnational problems. They have the wealth and power to persuade other governments to take actions they wouldn’t otherwise take. They pick up the bills that others [...]
A Facebook bank is far more likely than you imagine May 13, 2012 THE internet gives banks innovative ways of providing services to customers. But it also brings new dangers. Online giants like PayPal, Facebook and Amazon are leading the way on customer experience. Could they go further, and take on banks directly? Facebook has already moved into the world of “virtual currency”. Facebook Credits, costing 10 cents [...]
The City’s prosperity rests on the strength of London’s local communities May 13, 2012 AS newly-elected policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, it is my duty to help nurture a business environment that supports the UK financial services industry, stimulates jobs and growth and maintains London’s status as the world’s pre-eminent global financial centre. But the duties of the policy chairman do not stop there. During my [...]
Should the legalisation of gay marriage be a significant priority for this government? May 13, 2012 YES Ruth Hunt In his speech to the Conservative Party conference in 2011, the Prime Minister stated that “Conservatives believe in the ties that bind us; that society is stronger when we make vows to each other and support each other.” This is a position that Stonewall enthusiastically endorses. At a time when the government [...]
RAPID responses May 13, 2012 Initiative needed [Re: Coalition behaving as if we were in normal economic times, Thursday] This is a highly pertinent and accurate analysis. The government’s done absolutely nothing to tackle the burden of privately-held debt and nothing to redirect money spent on consumption to be spent on vital infrastructure. The coalition has undertaken no root-and-branch overhaul [...]
Archaic restrictions choke London and hinder its sustainable growth May 10, 2012 NINETEENTH century London grew as no city had ever grown before, from 1m people in 1800, to 7m by 1900. Growth was spontaneous. People across the country saw London’s opportunities and moved to the big smoke. And yes, it was smoky then! Builders responded to increased demand, creating the terraced houses, Victorian villas, and mansion [...]
The untamed imagination remains at the heart of true business success May 10, 2012 MAURICE Sendak, the groundbreaking author of Where The Wild Things Are died this week, leaving the world a tamer place. Sendak wrote books for children, but his influence has been far wider and deeper, reaching from Spike Jonze’s recent blockbuster film to many adult authors. His art was distinguished by both courage and originality. He [...]
Investors beware: Politics is driving how firms are run May 10, 2012 AS INVESTORS, we need to be aware about how what is happening around them shapes and influences our investments. And right now that means keeping a close eye on politics.What’s more, it is worth bearing in mind that macro-environmental influences are dynamic. A political decision that may not have an immediate impact could have a [...]
Was the Spanish government justified in its move to part-nationalise the ailing Bankia? May 10, 2012 YES Jason Gaywood This is a pragmatic and realistic attempt by Spain to shore up its beleaguered banking sector without overburdening government coffers. But it is likely to spell trouble for the wider Eurozone. Spain has grasped the nettle by taking a 45 per cent stake in the troubled institution. Parallels can be drawn with [...]