We must rediscover our pride in our shared European heritage June 17, 2019 With the insult of coming third in the Peterborough by-election, adding to the injury of fifth place in the European elections, the Conservative party needs to coalesce quickly around a new leader – one who can heal the party’s historic divisions and set out a distinctive agenda on Europe. Whether the UK leaves the EU [...]
Sticks and stones may break my bones June 14, 2019 We live in a world which is becoming ever more difficult to satirise. Reality now far outstrips parody for overblown farce and exaggerated absurdity. Back in 2000, The Simpsons featured a flash-forward episode which foresaw a ridiculous future in which property mogul and vapid celebrity Donald Trump had become President of the United States. Switch [...]
Love him or hate him, Boris is nicking the Marmite strategy June 14, 2019 Is there any brand in the history of advertising that has come up with a slogan as ingenious as Marmite’s “You Either Love It Or Hate It”? I say this as someone who despises Marmite. To quote the singer Amanda Palmer lamenting her partner’s love of this inexplicable condiment, “it tastes like sadness, it tastes [...]
DNA samples and bedroom intrusions? The abuse of migrants is a national disgrace June 14, 2019 We live in a time when human rights are considered inherent to all people, not just the majority. Regardless of race, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or any other distinguishing trait, it is expected that your rights are equal to anyone else’s. Sadly, society is imperfect and our fellow men and women sometimes fall short of [...]
It’s no mystery who is behind the Gulf of Oman attack, or why June 14, 2019 “Crime is terribly revealing. Try and vary your methods as you will, your tastes, your habits, your attitude of mind, and your soul is revealed by your actions.” So wrote Agatha Christie, beloved author of the Hercule Poirot crime novels. At the time of writing, there is a good deal in the foreground that remains [...]
DEBATE: Is Cannes Lions still relevant to the advertising industry? June 14, 2019 Is Cannes Lions still relevant to the advertising industry? Rory Hamilton, chief creative officer and partner at Boys + Girls, says YES. Of course Cannes is still relevant. Whatever you think of it as a festival, or its infamous excess, it champions creativity. That week on the French Riviera celebrates the most creative work from [...]
The next Prime Minister must be more than a one-trick Brexit pony June 14, 2019 The starting gun has fired and Boris Johnson is far out ahead in the race to be the next leader of the Conservative party. Brexit is of course everyone’s priority, but a new report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reminds us that there are other pressing challenges for the incoming Prime Minister to [...]
Don’t ignore the powder keg sitting on the EU’s doorstep June 13, 2019 Two decades since 50,000 Nato troops entered Kosovo, the region on the EU’s eastern doorstep remains a potential powder keg. This week has been dominated in the UK by the launch of the Conservative leadership contest and the drama over who is to be the next Prime Minister. But it also marks 20 years since [...]
DEBATE: Should we get rid of best-buy lists for investment funds following the Neil Woodford scandal? June 13, 2019 Should we get rid of best-buy lists for investment funds following the Neil Woodford scandal? Shaun Port, chief investment officer of Nutmeg, says YES. As the Financial Conduct Authority highlighted in its 2017 study, there are concerns around links between funds on so-called “best-buy lists” and the platform providers. The suspension of the Woodford Equity [...]
Remainers rejoice, a second referendum seems almost inevitable June 13, 2019 What a noisy week in politics. The Tory leadership contest is now fully underway, with contenders trying to out-Brexit each other with their visions of how to get Britain out the EU. There’s even been the threat from some Brexiteers to prorogue parliament, much to the outrage of many. But there are some Remainers watching [...]