Johnson fights the socialists but Brexit still overshadows all November 25, 2019 Compared to Labour’s manifesto, which offered everything to everyone, yesterday’s Tory manifesto launch felt almost ascetic. Much of what was in the document had already been announced, and such surprises as were in evidence were not the type to change the direction of the election. The Conservatives will be eminently relaxed about this; some in [...]
Confidence tricks: How advertising can predict a recession November 25, 2019 “There’s going to be a recession,” someone says at a dinner table or boardroom meeting, certain of the fact. “You can see it coming.” In advertising, we’re at the coal-face of confidence — the barometer and engine room of recession and recovery. What we look for are three measures of confidence which correlate with historic [...]
Hong Kong under siege: Failing to hold District Council Elections would be an unforgivable betrayal November 23, 2019 Tomorrow, voters in Hong Kong are expected to head to the polls in swathes, for what will be the most closely followed District Election in Hong Kong since the 1997 handover. I will be flying out to monitor those elections as a member of an Election Observation Mission organised by the campaign group, Stand With Hong [...]
Huawei: The fake choice between US and China will weaken the world economy November 22, 2019 Over the last year, the UK and its European partners have been asked to make a false choice between the US and China. What started with a series of false claims about Huawei’s role in telecoms infrastructure has broadened into a wider campaign that places the very concept of globalisation and the global economy at [...]
How to immunise yourself against a toxic work culture November 22, 2019 What determines whether a business will be successful? Some would say that it’s all about the product or the idea. Others might think it’s down to strategy and execution. While these things are important, competitors can — and often will — catch up. Read more: We reviewed all the Christmas sandwiches, so read this before [...]
This election is a battle Labour does not deserve to win November 22, 2019 In 2004, the US chat show host Oprah Winfrey gave away a brand new car to each member of her studio audience. It was badged as an act of unparalleled generosity — though, as is the way of these things, the reality was more complicated. Gift taxes hit recipients hard — and the cars themselves [...]
The hubristic Lib Dems flew too close to the electoral sun November 22, 2019 Of all the Greek myths, the most famous is probably the story of Icarus, the boy who flew too close to the sun. Gifted with ingeniously crafted wings, he was warned that flying too high would risk melting the wax that held them together. Reckless and overconfident, Icarus found his wings disintegrating mid-air, and met [...]
Today’s Labour party has no excuse for its anti-business agenda November 22, 2019 Labour’s election manifesto, launched yesterday by Jeremy Corbyn, has been labelled the most left-wing since the Michael Foot era, when the party also doubled down on high taxes, nationalisation of industry, and more state interference in the economy. Personally, I don’t think the comparison holds up — it’s not generous enough to Michael Foot. While [...]
DEBATE: Should billionaires consider fleeing the country if Jeremy Corbyn gets into power? November 22, 2019 Should billionaires consider fleeing the country if Jeremy Corbyn gets into power? Craig Kemsley, head of tax at Calibrate Law, says YES. An exodus of wealth creators from the UK is already well under way, and Labour’s tax plans would only catalyse this phenomenon if the party got into office. Despite Labour’s claims that the [...]
Want to win an election? Throw the kitchen sink at your opponent November 22, 2019 The received wisdom goes that campaign messages should be as to-the-point as possible. “Keep it simple, stupid” originated in engineering, but it is credited with Barack Obama’s 2008 “change” message and Vote Leave’s successful “take back control” campaign in 2016. Certainly, both the main parties in this election seem to be sticking to this principle, [...]