This overblown rhetoric about ‘coups’ and ‘Nazism’ is in no one’s interests September 3, 2019 “This is Britain’s Reichstag Fire Decree moment.” That was one man’s reaction to Boris Johnson’s decision last week to prorogue parliament. It’s the kind of intemperate remark you expect in the wilder reaches of social media, where Godwin’s Law – the inevitability of someone bringing up Hitler in an online debate – is alive and [...]
Can’t name the UK technology secretary? That’s because we don’t have one September 3, 2019 Do you know who our secretary of state for technology is? Or can you name the tech minister? No? That’s not surprising, because they don’t exist. While we all might agree that technology is a key ingredient to a successful and vibrant economy and to our advancement as a society, there is still no one [...]
DEBATE: Is there any merit to Labour’s idea of a ‘right to buy’ policy for private renters? September 3, 2019 Is there any merit to Labour’s idea of a ‘right to buy’ policy for private renters? James Meadway, an economist and former adviser to John McDonnell, says YES. Labour looking into a right to buy for private tenants could be a godsend for those tens of thousands of private renters who find themselves on the [...]
Forget what you’ve heard, Facebook’s libra can help in the fight against money laundering September 3, 2019 The cost of anti-money laundering (AML) protocols and procedures for businesses is well-documented. Financial institutions sink billions each year into technology to identify suspicious activity and prevent their services being used for illegal transactions. Despite these efforts, money laundering remains big business, representing around five per cent of global GDP. That’s larger than the entire [...]
When business partners behave badly: How to rein in a shady coworker September 2, 2019 In the wake of the #MeToo movement, there has been a great deal of focus on how to tackle the toxic work culture that exists in some industries and businesses. Many companies have been pushing for cultural change, motivated by the desire to create inclusive work environments, and limit the reputational and financial damage that [...]
DEBATE: Does Ruth Davidson’s resignation show that politics needs to change to better support women? September 2, 2019 Does Ruth Davidson’s resignation show that politics needs to change to better support women? Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, says YES. Gender discrimination remains rife within society and our political system. Politics fails not only new mothers like Ruth Davidson, but also those with a range of caring responsibilities. Parliament has failed [...]
Democracy means accepting that sometimes the other side gets to win September 2, 2019 Following the Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue parliament, we have seen a tsunami of outrage that British democracy is effectively dead. Accusations and counter accusations are flying. Each side blames the other for undemocratic behaviour. There is no doubt that the Brexit process is putting British democracy under strain. It might therefore be appropriate to [...]
Britain must try to sail beyond the Brexit debate in order to find the stars September 2, 2019 Sadly, many of the great quotations in history are simply not accurate. One of my favourite apocryphal quotes is (wrongly) credited to Sir Francis Drake, supposedly written just before the intrepid explorer set off on the Golden Hind on his dazzling circumnavigation of the globe. Drake is supposed to have said: “Disturb us, Lord, when [...]
As others look inward, the City is keeping its eye on the world September 2, 2019 Domestic and international politics, as well as the latest developments in the Brexit saga, are set to dominate the headlines in the coming weeks and months. While we cannot simply put the Brexit question to one side, we must remember that it is just one – admittedly important – part of a bigger picture: the [...]
The threat of no-deal is key to Johnson’s strategy September 2, 2019 Though it has been said many times during the UK’s ongoing Brexit drama, this week really is shaping up to be the most tumultuous we have seen in recent years. Boris Johnson’s lawful but controversial decision to suspend parliament during the run-up to 31 October has thrown rebel MPs’ plans to thwart a no-deal Brexit [...]