Heavy-handed Westminster diktats have eroded trust — now only localised Covid policy can restore it October 14, 2020 Last month, the official group of scientific advisers — SAGE — warned the government that only a quarter of those who need to self-isolate due to coronavirus symptoms were in fact doing so. This illustrates a concept which is of great practical importance: namely the conflict between individual and collective rationality. Consider Margaret Ferrier, an [...]
Trump or Biden? Either way, global Britain should prepare to step into the void October 14, 2020 US presidential elections are always closely watched across the pond. This time round, in an exceptional year and following a truly extraordinary administration, the anticipation building in Westminster around next month’s vote has reached a fever pitch. The dramatic twists and turns of American foreign policy over the past four years have heightened anxieties about [...]
The mayor must speak up for ambitious Londoners and for businesses — not call for further restrictions October 13, 2020 Sadiq Khan is arguably under more scrutiny — and subject to some of the harshest criticism — than any politician in the country. Much of it is unfair. London remains a city with an illusion of a mayor, rather than one with the power to make decisions for the good of the city and its [...]
DEBATE: Is the government right to be encouraging artists and dancers to retrain in tech? October 13, 2020 Is the government right to be encouraging artists and dancers to retrain in tech? Leon Emirali, an entrepreneur and adviser, says YES. At some point soon, we will be left with no choice but to face up to the uncomfortable truths of this pandemic. Covid-19 is re-writing the economic rules we’ve played by for so [...]
Can the UK’s post-Covid economy benefit from a booming medical cannabis industry? October 13, 2020 As the government tries desperately to salvage a shattered economy, an unlikely but profitable lifeline presents itself: medical cannabis. Cue tired old jokes about how the only way people have been able to cope with the disruption of the past six months is by getting stoned. Finished? Now listen — because the medicinal cannabis industry [...]
Christmas isn’t cancelled — Santa is accepting buy now, pay later October 13, 2020 One thing’s for sure: we’re going to be tempted to spend more than ever this Christmas, because 2020 has not been a joyful year. Let’s face it, if 2020 were a wine, it would be reduced to being a bin-end, and a pretty poor one at that. But as furlough unwinds, and with a no-deal [...]
With friends likes these… the UK is better off walking away than signing up to an EU deal October 13, 2020 When it comes to Brexit deals, Australia may be a lot further away from the EU than Canada — but right now, it’s looking a fair sight better. With time running out before the “crunch” EU summit which begins on Thursday, it appears likely that the UK will not get a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) [...]
Sketch: How to communicate effectively (according to the UK government) October 12, 2020 As the government unveils its latest lockdown restrictions through Twitter, James Warrington imagines comms discussions in the heart of Westminster At a time of national crisis, it’s crucial to communicate effectively. Can you imagine if, at the height of a pandemic, the public didn’t know what was going on? Unthinkable, I know, but it’s a [...]
Enough with the fear — it’s time we began to accept this virus October 12, 2020 Covid-19 is the biggest change we have experienced for generations. And like every major change that is forced upon us, the secret to success is to overcome our fears and begin to accept it.
Almost unnoticed, Europe hurtles into decline October 12, 2020 The string is almost played out. Despite a generation of frantically trying to change the subject — be it by focusing on their own arcane (and very boring) institutional struggles, the problems of other countries (usually the US), or fatuously announcing that every obvious setback is merely a chance to move “the project” of European [...]