Stop clinging to the last century and let the high street evolve February 10, 2020 Every January, without fail, the hand-wringing begins. After predictably poor Christmas retail results, everyone wants to know: are we seeing the death of the high street? The gloom doesn’t stop. Last week, the boss of John Lewis was the latest to lament the retail landscape, warning of potential store closures and job losses. Why are [...]
DEBATE: Is ‘level playing field’ alignment a reasonable part of a UK-EU free trade agreement? February 10, 2020 Is ‘level playing field’ alignment a necessary and reasonable part of a UK-EU free trade agreement? Sir Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat acting leader and economy spokesperson, says YES. Maintaining a common rulebook with the EU is in the UK’s best interest. Boris Johnson claims that, like Canada, we shouldn’t be expected to take on EU [...]
The financial services sector will be key as we chart a new course on the world stage February 8, 2020 The UK’s financial services sector has charted a pragmatic course since the EU Referendum, and recent figures show that it continues to flourish. Indeed, research from Innovate Finance revealed how investment in the UK’s fintech sector reached a record high of nearly $5bn in 2019, with industry growth far outstripping that of the US, China, [...]
Tidjane Thiam’s resignation signifies perfect PR storm for Credit Suisse February 7, 2020 The shock resignation of Tidjane Thiam is a leadership clusterbuster. Over the last three years, Credit Suisse have had numerous opportunities to move on from the embarrassing series of revelations that have dogged their leadership. The resignation of their CEO will do very little to dispel the image of a toxic culture at the top. [...]
Change is in the air across the Irish Sea, as Leo Varadkar is learning the hard way February 7, 2020 Change is the word du jour across the Republic of Ireland right now. As the General Election comes to its final stages tomorrow, the word has become so ubiquitous — in the leaders’ debates and on the campaign trail — it feels it has lost all meaning. For nearly 10 years, centre-right Fine Gael has [...]
The Lords will benefit from Square Mile lifers February 7, 2020 If you were designing Britain’s constitutional system from scratch, it is unlikely the House of Lords in its current form would make it into the final draft of your masterplan. With 794 members, it is now the second largest legislative body in the world, trailing only the National People’s Congress of China in that dubious [...]
Don’t turn BBC reform into a political football February 7, 2020 Move over Brexit, there’s a new B-word battle: over the fate of the BBC. Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s chief adviser, has had the broadcaster in his sights for some time, with reports from his think tank in 2004 suggesting axing it altogether. Opening shots were fired after December’s election, when Cummings imposed a ministerial [...]
We must not let fear of terror attacks compromise our human rights February 7, 2020 The recent attacks in London Bridge and Streatham have highlighted clear flaws in the management of terror offenders. Both were perpetrated by convicts still under licence conditions, released automatically halfway through their sentences. The government is now urgently looking to address this — as it undoubtedly should. However, it should be wary of trampling civil [...]
With apprenticeships, firms can teach old dogs new tricks February 7, 2020 We are living through extraordinary times. Disruptive tech innovations, dizzying political upheavals, and growing public demand for action on issues from inequality to the environment are all contributing to a landscape of unprecedented change. But we are still clinging to outdated ideas of how — and when — we should gain new skills. The use [...]
Does Philip Hammond deserve a peerage? February 7, 2020 Does Philip Hammond deserve a peerage? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. Philip Hammond became a mighty irritant to Tory Brexiteers during his time as chancellor, so it is unsurprising that many of them are irked by Boris Johnson nominating him for a peerage. It’s true that he passionately opposed Brexit and was [...]