Closing the backdoor to EU dumping May 25, 2020 Full sovereignty is fundamental to the UK’s success in the post-Brexit future. For it to be achieved a number of loose ends left by the Brexit withdrawal process must be tied up. This should now be a priority for the future trade deal, so the UK can ensure UK citizens and businesses can compete fairly [...]
Hulsman: The world through China’s eyes May 25, 2020 Modern China begins with Deng Xiaoping, the most important man of the twentieth century westerners know next to nothing about. Deng’s story makes up the final chapter of my most recent book, To Dare More Boldly: The Audacious Story Of Political Risk; in it I chart his magical act of political alchemy. Surveying the wreckage [...]
There remains plenty for London to be optimistic about May 22, 2020 Back in January, I wrote that the City of London has much to be optimistic about. As a Hong Kong-based investor with close ties to the UK, I could see that the British people’s decision to leave the EU would have little material impact on its future success. I believed that the foundations were strong [...]
London’s businesses still need more help May 22, 2020 More than two months since lockdown began, large parts of the capital’s vibrant and thriving economy remain on ice. In particular, the leisure, cultural and hospitality sectors, which are a cornerstone of our city’s success, are at the sharp end of the crisis. Our buzzing night-time economy is on hold: the pubs, clubs and restaurants [...]
We need a new approach to city resilience May 22, 2020 Globally, cities are fundamental drivers of economic performance. If a nation’s major cities function well, the overall economy benefits in terms of jobs and innovation of products and services. The World Bank states that 55% of the world’s population – 4.2 billion people – now live in cities, generating 80% of global GDP. Protecting cities [...]
Time to empower the doers in society May 22, 2020 A hands-on state has served society well during recent weeks. A selectively hands-off state is now needed for the economy to bounce back. Except during war it is hard to think of any other circumstance when decisive government intervention is more needed than during a deadly pandemic. However, the Coronavirus story is not only a [...]
Working families need a clearer roadmap out of lockdown May 21, 2020 It is nearly nine weeks since I picked up my primary age children from after school club and told them all schools were closing. Despite the fresh air, pleasant surroundings and the late afternoon sunshine, the news was sitting uncomfortably in my stomach. That week in March was already proving grim, with increasingly frantic news [...]
Protecting the UK from the flaws of the Eurozone May 21, 2020 The Eurozone is half-complete. Control over the euro currency is centralised, but member state financial arrangements are individualised, creating almost intolerable tensions. That much is well known. What is not so well known is how this set-up operates to the detriment of the UK in three crucial ways. First, the value of the euro is [...]
Tech-savvy businesses will define the new normal May 20, 2020 As the UK starts to turn a corner in its response to the coronavirus pandemic, the role of leadership and technology will be crucial in helping businesses and communities overcome the challenges that lie ahead. We’re already seeing businesses re-imagine their operational models, revenue streams, and supply chains. Decisions and innovations which previously took weeks [...]
Insurance is a jewel in the City crown May 20, 2020 As the relatively new Member of Parliament for the City, I have been finding my way around the incredible range of financial services which London offers the world – and insurance and reinsurance are definitely jewels in the crown. So, the publication of the third edition of the London Matters report this week was a [...]