Economist disputes claim that Brexit deal could shrink UK economy November 27, 2018 Research claiming that Theresa May’s Brexit deal could reduce Britain’s economy by up to 5.5 per cent over the next decade compared to staying in the EU has come under fire from a pro-Brexit economist. Researchers at the London School of Economics, King’s College London and the Institute for Fiscal Studies said the withdrawal agreement [...]
A no-deal Brexit might be the best thing for the UK, so argue the contrarians November 27, 2018 The Prime Minister is fighting for her deal. So she should. There is no majority in parliament for a hard Brexit. Nor is the EU likely to grant meaningful concessions at this stage apart from cosmetic tweaking, if that. Labour’s position is to disregard the referendum result by staying in the single market and the [...]
Theresa May challenges Corbyn to Brexit TV debate on eve of parliament’s vote November 27, 2018 Theresa May has thrown down the gauntlet to her Labour rival over Brexit, challenging Jeremy Corbyn to a televised debate. The Prime Minister claimed the Labour leader hasn’t got a plan for Brexit, despite criticising the deal she is trying to win support for ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote next month. “I am willing [...]
Have faith, the UK can weather the political storm November 27, 2018 Winston Churchill once said that Brits are “the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst”. In these turbo-charged political times, I would take it one step further and say that Brits not only like to be told the worst, but they often expect the worst. [...]
Former UBS rogue trader Kweku Adoboli accuses Home Office of ‘state violence’ following his deportation to Ghana November 27, 2018 Six years to the month since he was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court, Kweku Adoboli – the man responsible for the biggest unauthorised trading loss in UK history – is travelling along Ghana’s coast towards an idyllic seaside retreat known for its turtles and palm trees. Adoboli’s journey, however, has been far from leisurely. Earlier this [...]
Forget ‘just deserts’ and keep your nose out of other people’s pay November 27, 2018 Two decades ago, it was considered rude and crass in Britain to openly discuss wages and salaries. Now, everyone seems to have an opinion on how much others should earn. There has always the been broad lament about footballers’ wages being “ridiculous”, of course, or that nurses and teachers were “undervalued”. And after the financial [...]
It’s no crystal ball, but polling is essential for democracy November 27, 2018 At the time of writing, the political landscape in the UK seems as uncertain and changeable as the weather. It all hinges on Theresa May’s Brexit plan, which, if not accepted by parliament, increases the likelihood of the UK barrelling towards a new referendum, or even a General Election. And that means election polling. Election [...]
DEBATE: Was it right for MPs to use obscure parliamentary powers to seize Facebook documents? November 27, 2018 Was it right for MPs to use obscure parliamentary powers to seize Facebook documents? Kevin Craig, chief executive and founder of communications agency PLMR, says YES. There is something poetic about British politicians using one of the most archaic parliamentary powers to tackle a very modern policy challenge. Since the Cambridge Analytica story broke, Facebook has [...]
Open your eyes, Labour is more radically left than it’s ever been November 27, 2018 When something new happens in politics, people like to pretend they’ve seen it before. Look at Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party. In the City, lazy thinking about Labour is everywhere. Pub bores, from Leadenhall to Limehouse, will tell you that Corbyn’s party today is a just bad Betamax video of a 1970s-era Labour government. This is [...]
City of London Corporation caught in ‘gagging’ row after referring resident councillor to City of London Police November 27, 2018 The City of London Corporation is embroiled in a gagging row after a resident councillor who spoke against a planning delegation decision was referred to police for potential prosecution. Councillor Susan Pearson, who represents the ward of Cripplegate, was threatened with criminal prosecution after she spoke against a proposal to delegate a planning application next [...]