Intelligence breakdown: Corbyn refuses to blame Moscow for chemical weapons attack as May slings out 23 Russian ‘spies’ out of the country March 15, 2018 Jeremy Corbyn has sparked a furious row in the Labour party after he pointedly refused to condemn Russia for the attack on Sergei and Yulia Skripal. Theresa May had informed MPs there had been no credible explanation for the attack in Salisbury and reiterated the government’s position that Russia was responsible. She described Moscow’s response [...]
PM reveals Russia World Cup boycott, diplomats to be thrown out of the UK, assets to be frozen, and a new law after Sergei Skripal “attempted murder” March 14, 2018 The UK will expel 23 Russian diplomats as part of a series of measures following the "attempted murder" of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, with Theresa May laying the blame for the attack at Russian President Putin's feet. According to the Prime Minister, the diplomats have been identified as "undeclared intelligence agents." The expulsion [...]
Tech friend or foe? Sadiq on why going up against Uber isn’t bad for London’s business March 12, 2018 Sadiq Khan pledged to be the most “business-friendly” mayor to lead London when he was elected almost two years ago. But in September last year, he shocked the business community by backing Transport for London’s (TfL) decision to revoke Uber’s licence. Uber is not known for its good corporate governance, but Khan was criticised for [...]
Sir Nick Clegg has become chairman at on-demand social care startup Cera March 10, 2018 Sir Nick Clegg has been appointed chairman of the advisory board of a homecare startup founded by a former NHS doctor. Clegg joins the board of Cera, which was started by Mahiben Maruthappu in an effort to help tackle the social care crisis. Read more: Nick Clegg admits "soft Brexit" hopes are dead The startup, [...]
IEA poaches Legatum’s top Brexit adviser Shanker Singham and team March 9, 2018 Free market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) has poached Shanker Singham and three of his team from rival firm Legatum. Singham, who is widely seen as one of the top Brexit policy advisers and has played a key role in guiding the government's thinking on the issue, will head up the IEA's [...]
The EU’s Italy calamity is the UK’s big Brexit opportunity March 8, 2018 One problem with Britain’s domestic focus on Brexit is that we tend not to consider, never mind discuss in any depth, what issues and conflicts currently beset the EU that could encourage its leadership to settle for a new relationship of the type the UK is proposing. The EU faces serious problems in managing its [...]
EU threatens the US tariff reprisals as 18 WTO members including China and Russia express strong concerns over Trump’s move March 7, 2018 The EU has warned Donald Trump that it will launch tough new levies on US exports of bourbon, peanut butter and motorbikes if he pushes forward with plans to impose steel and aluminium tariffs. Meanwhile 18 WTO members, including China and Russia, have expressed grave concerns about the impact of a potential trade war. The EU's [...]
Trump-fuelled trade war fears grow as Gary Cohn exits the White House March 7, 2018 One of Donald Trump's key economic advisers has resigned from his position in the administration, prompting fears of a growing rift over trade barriers. Gary Cohn, an advocate of free trade, is reportedly leaving over a dispute with the President regarding steel and aluminium tarrifs. He will depart in the coming weeks. Trump said of [...]
Top academics pour scorn on Treasury studies on Brexit impact March 4, 2018 A group of senior academics have lambasted the Treasury’s negative reports into how Brexit will affect the economy. A new paper by the Centre for Business Research, Judge Business School and University of Cambridge predicts that Brexit will “only have a small negative impact on economic growth over the coming years” and a minor impact [...]
Venezuela is a socialist horror show – time for the British left to admit it February 23, 2018 What do you do if you are a tyrannical leader who has run your country’s economy into the ground, devalued its currency to the point where you can barely afford the paper that banknotes are printed on, and face fierce public and political opposition? If you are President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, the answer is [...]