Everyone deserves to feel like they belong in our great city February 22, 2019 Division is not a new phenomenon. Historically, our city has in the past experienced unbearable, seemingly irreconcilable differences. Nevertheless, London’s unique history and success have always been built not just on free markets, but on the free movement of people and an openness to those who are different from us. That is as true now as [...]
The emergence of the Independent Group offers a ray of hope for economic liberals February 22, 2019 As a free market liberal, I’m becoming more cynical by the day. After all, there seems to be something close to universal agreement across the major political parties for state interference (i.e. energy price caps), the nanny state (i.e. the sugar tax), and increasing the tax burden (admittedly by varying degrees), which is already at an [...]
Finally, the Tories have tackled the UK’s deficit February 22, 2019 Credit where it’s due, Philip Hammond has finally conquered the deficit – albeit several years after his predecessor George Osborne originally promised to have done so. While the government is still spending more money than it generates, the UK’s rate of borrowing is considerably below pre-crisis levels. In its analysis of yesterday’s borrowing figures the [...]
Editor’s Notes: Is this new group just a respite centre for Remainers…or something more? February 21, 2019 Are we witnessing the dawn of a new political age, or the spasm of a few politically homeless MPs? The smart answer is that it’s too early to tell, but if I were forced off the fence I’d say the latter is more likely. There will almost certainly be more defections, from Labour as well [...]
Theresa May tells quitting MPs the Conservative Party is not ‘warped’ like Labour February 21, 2019 Theresa May has insisted the Conservative party has not become “warped” after three resigning MPs accused it of being in the control of zealots. In an open letter to Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Heidi Allen – all of whom quit the Tories on Wednesday – the PM rejected any comparisons between her party and [...]
City of London Corporation forced into U-turn following homophobia claims February 21, 2019 The City of London Corporation has been forced into an "embarrassing" U-turn after a decision to turn down LGBT funding applications prompted a backlash from councillors. The Corporation's hospitality and working party, which grants funding for events and sits within the influential policy and resources committee, faced accusations of homophobia after it turned down funding requests [...]
UK rules out Japan free trade deal ahead of Brexit deadline February 21, 2019 The UK has admitted it will not be able to sign a trade deal with Japan that matches the EU’s own agreement before the 29 March Brexit deadline. Read more: How will the EU act after Brexit? The government is racing to replicate around 40 free trade deals before the UK’s scheduled departure from the [...]
How will the EU act after Brexit? February 21, 2019 | City Talk Britain's planned departure from the EU exposes many issues. A key one is the economic path the UK will choose. Less commonly asked is what will the rest of the EU do. Perhaps this should figure more in the debate. Last year, President Macron suggested the EU move towards a core, built on closer political [...]
Still a nation of innovators: Nurturing the talent to power Britain’s AI revolution February 21, 2019 The UK has been a leading light in the development and testing of machine intelligence since Alan Turing’s pioneering work during the Second World War. Now, we are living in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is a reality in our everyday lives. It’s already benefiting customers, and from advanced manufacturing to financial services, almost every [...]
Tories and Labour brace for more defections to Independent Group as Brexit patience wears thin February 21, 2019 The newly formed Independent Group could soon be welcoming more disaffected Labour and Tory MPs as a number of senior figures took to the airwaves to warn of more resignations. Former Tory MP Heidi Allen, who resigned from the party yesterday along with Remain-supporting colleagues Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston, told ITV last night that [...]