Five political risk predictions for a new era January 7, 2020 As Jules Verne’s unmatchable adventure Around the World in Eighty Days so eloquently put it: “Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.” Fresh off my firm’s victorious analysis of both Brexit and the outcome of December’s British General Election, we sincerely hope that the new year continues to affirm for us Verne’s [...]
Kick off the decade with a plan for ending the misery of the daily commute January 7, 2020 It’s the start of the year, and you may have already had to suffer through a cancelled train, a packed carriage, or a traffic jam that’s cost you a meeting. Not the best way to kick off a new decade. Among those returning to their offices today are the newly appointed members of the government, [...]
Sajid Javid’s post-Brexit Budget set for 11 March 2020 January 7, 2020 Sajid Javid will deliver the government’s first post-Brexit Budget on 11 March, in what it likely to see a shift in spending away from London and the South East. Tomorrow morning Javid will give Cabinet colleagues an economic update ahead of his first Treasury questions since Boris Johnson won an 80-seat majority last month. He [...]
Boris Johnson tells Iraqi counterpart UK is ‘unwavering’ in support January 6, 2020 Boris Johnson has told the Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi of the UK’s “unwavering” support for the country, in the wake of the killing of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. Johnson and his counterpart held a phone call this morning, as the ramifications of the targeted US drone attack against general Soleimani continue to ripple. [...]
Labour leadership hots up as Rayner launches deputy bid, as Jess Phillips forced into Brexit u-turn January 6, 2020 The Labour leadership contest has intensified today, as the party’s national executive committee meets to thrash out the framework for the coming weeks. Angela Rayner has launched her bid for deputy leader, replacing Tom Watson who stood down during the election campaign, saying the party must “win or die”. The shadow education secretary, who at [...]
Boris Johnson to hold crisis talks over Soleimani killing January 6, 2020 Boris Johnson will hold a series of talks over escalating tensions between Iran and the West in the coming hours, following the assassination of military leader Qasem Soleimani. The Prime Minister will convene a meeting of senior ministers, including the foreign secretary Dominic Raab and defence secretary Ben Wallace, this afternoon. He will then chair [...]
Centre for Policy Studies picks City billionaire Michael Spencer as new chairman January 6, 2020 The conservative Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) think tank has appointed City veteran and billionaire Michael Spencer as its new chairman to replace Lord Maurice Saatchi, who will step down after 10 years in the role. Spencer founded the financial services firm Icap, which became the Nex Group and was sold for almost £4bn last [...]
Oil prices jump and gold hits seven-year high amid heightened Middle East tensions January 6, 2020 Oil prices have continued to rise after US President Donald Trump threatened Iraq with sanctions if the country expels American troops. Gold also hit a seven-year high as investors seek shelter from mounting tensions in safe haven assets. Read more: Qasem Soleimani: Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions if US troops are expelled The precious metal [...]
Qasem Soleimani: General’s daughter warns ‘crazy Trump’ of ‘dark day’ January 6, 2020 The daughter of general Qasem Soleimani has warned at his funeral that the US faces a “dark day” in retaliation for his death. Soleimani, who was the head of the Iranian special operations Quds Force, was killed in a US drone strike last Friday as he arrived in Baghdad. Read more: Trump threatens Iraq with [...]
Qasem Soleimani: Trump threatens Iraq with sanctions if US troops are expelled January 6, 2020 President Donald Trump has threatened Iraq with severe sanctions after its parliament called for US forces to leave the country, as the backlash over the killing of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani intensifies. “We have a very extraordinarily expensive air base that’s [in Iraq]. It cost billions of dollars to build, long before my time. [...]