The Conservative case for foreign aid August 8, 2019 Now that the Conservative party leadership contest is over, a raft of new ideas have entered the mainstream policy agenda. Many of these are liberal, exciting, and exactly what is needed to boost the British economy ahead of Brexit – but the very concept of international aid has taken something of a beating. Contenders for [...]
Why Britain needs a minister for AI August 8, 2019 With the nation in a state of economic and political uncertainty, Britain’s newly appointed Prime Minister looks to technology to rejuvenate and refocus the country. He announces “a major national effort to bring advanced technology and new processes into industry”, launching the government’s first ministry of technology. Tech experts across the country rejoice as policymakers [...]
Is it irresponsible for parliament to be on recess at such a crucial time? August 8, 2019 Is it irresponsible for parliament to be on recess at such a crucial time? Dr Stuart Thomson, head of public affairs at BDB Pitmans, says YES. With a hard no-deal Brexit looming, now is not the time for a parliamentary break. There is too much to do, but only if the government allows it. Allowing [...]
Think tanks beware: No one knows what you actually do August 8, 2019 In the midst of the Tory leadership contest, City A.M ran a leader entitled The definition of a think tank is up for debate. The article cited research from my firm showing that fewer than four per cent of the population could name a think tank. It also noted studies published by two leading think [...]
Rail firms could seek costs after government scraps franchise bidding August 7, 2019 Two train firms could seek to recover costs from the government after it scrapped the bidding process for one of the UK’s largest rail franchises. The Department for Transport (DfT) insists there is no recourse for the rail firms as they enter into the bidding process at their own risk. Read more: Scrapped: Government cancels [...]
Cummings squares off over Grieve’s Brexit threat August 7, 2019 The Prime Minister’s most senior adviser Dominic Cummings has issued a veiled threat to the former attorney general as the two square off over Brexit. Backbencher and serial Remainer rebel Dominic Grieve had previously argued that Cummings was “simply wrong” to state that MPs would not be able to prevent a no-deal Brexit. Grieve, the [...]
Food industry calls for competition laws to be lifted for no-deal Brexit August 7, 2019 The UK’s food industry has called on Boris Johnson to ditch parts of competition law, allowing firms to work together in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has warned that leaving on 31 October without a transition in place could cause widespread supply issues, leaving British consumers either going [...]
John McDonnell slammed by own MP for “thoughtless rant” on Scottish independence August 7, 2019 John McDonnell has come under attack from his own party after saying Labour would not stand in the way of a second independence referendum in Scotland. Speaking at an Edinburgh Fringe event yesterday, shadow chancellor McDonnell said the party was split on the issue, but would not stand in its way. “We would not block [...]
Maybe this will be the time that the US finally gets over its love affair with guns August 7, 2019 Even Donald Trump, for once, didn’t appear to believe what he was saying. “Mental illness and hate pull the trigger, not the gun,” opined the President in his prepared statement from the White House on Monday, in response to the latest mass shootings on US soil in El Paso and Dayton which have claimed 31 [...]
Introducing the new cast and crew of Downing Street August 7, 2019 The dust is beginning to settle: Boris Johnson is Prime Minister, and the Whitehall machine has been stripped and restaffed. A new team has been installed to run his Downing Street operation – but who are they, and what does it mean? Even the Prime Minister’s most vocal advocates would not describe him as a [...]