George Osborne starts his EU reform push with ministers in Brussels May 12, 2015 Britain’s EU renegotiation process is officially underway, as chancellor of the exchequer George Osborne made his first post-General Election trip to Brussels yesterday. Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU finance ministers, Osborne said he went to Brussels “with a very clear mandate to improve Britain’s relationship with the rest of the European Union, and to [...]
EU referendum: German finance minister says Europe won’t be rushed on UK’s demands May 12, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron has only just formed his new all-tory new cabinet, but already he's trying to get the ball rolling on Europe. In fact, earlier today it was reported that he wants to bring the referendum on EU membership forward to next year. First of all, he wants to try and get a [...]
David Cameron might bring the EU referendum forward to next year May 12, 2015 David Cameron could bring the referendum on EU membership forward to next year – a year earlier than was originally promised. The Prime Minister is drawing up the plans in order to avoid coinciding with the German and French elections in 2017, which could end up creating a crash. One source told The Guardian [...]
Business wish lists for Sajid Javid from day one May 11, 2015 Industry groups sent their requests to the new business secretary just hours after David Cameron told him he got the job yesterday, with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and the EEF all contacting Sajid Javid. CBI Director-General John Cridland said Javid was “an excellent Treasury minister and will be [...]
Bring forward the EU referendum: The UK’s tech sector can’t wait two years May 11, 2015 As the dust settles on one of the most extraordinary General Election campaigns in generations, a new battle looms on the horizon for Tech City. The nation now faces a war over “Brexit”. David Cameron’s promise to hold a referendum by 2017 on the UK’s EU membership will have major repercussions for the economy and, [...]
David Cameron to act quickly on EU renegotiations and in-out referendum May 11, 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron is facing increased pressure to fast-track his plans to reform Britain’s relationship with the European Union. Cameron is widely expected to introduce legislation for an in-out referendum during the early days of the new parliament, as well as ramp up discussions about reform within the EU ahead of the next [...]
Referendum opponents must now get behind the push for EU reform May 10, 2015 Not many people predicted Thursday’s monumental shift in the political tectonics, least of all the people paid to make the predictions, the pollsters. But there was one politician who foresaw the total collapse of the Liberal Democrats that contributed so largely to the Tory majority we have today. The result means that very same politician [...]
Twin threats of Brexit and Scoxit will mar a good result for the City May 10, 2015 “Were you up for Balls?” Or more likely, “were you up in time for Balls?” Reminiscent of “were you up for Portillo in 1997?”, former shadow chancellor Ed Balls’s loss of his seat was one of the most memorable moments in an astonishing General Election which will have far reaching implications for the country. It [...]
General Election 2015: How will it affect the City? While a Conservative government is welcomed the Brexit risk looms large May 8, 2015 Investors cheered as it was revealed Britain would be governed by a Tory government for the next five years. While this brings greater stability, as well as more business friendly policies a number of challenges lie ahead. Here's what the City had to say: The economists: Economists think a Tory government without a formal coalition [...]
Should Britain leave the EU? Why the economics are still far from settled on Brexit question May 6, 2015 From an Empire where the sun never set, to an EU where the economic sun doesn’t shine; that’s Britain’s geopolitical journey over the past century. So which way now? Can we re-discover the entrepreneurial vision that took a small island to global pre-eminence, or will we remain tied down by a collective loss of confidence? [...]