On coronavirus, governments have been the most irrational of us all September 9, 2020 Decisions, whether by individuals, companies or governments, are often made with imperfect and incomplete information. This is so obvious as to hardly seem worth stating. But for well over a century economic theory assumed that decisions were made with complete information. Economists knew full well that this was not always the case. The problem was [...]
Brexit drives support for Scottish independence to 49 percent April 27, 2019 Brexit has driven support for Scottish independence to 49 per cent, the highest point in the last few years, according to the latest poll. A poll by Yougov showed that support for Scotland breaking away from the United Kingdom has increased from 45 per cent in June last year, Reuters reported. Read more: Prolonged Brexit [...]
Theresa May’s hated compromise is the only workable Brexit on offer March 15, 2019 “The deal we have negotiated is the best and indeed only deal available.” So claimed a dejected Theresa May on Tuesday night, smarting in the aftermath of the fourth biggest defeat for a sitting government in modern parliamentary history. Obviously, parliament does not agree. An overwhelming majority of MPs want May to go back to [...]
London can strengthen its relations with Scotland March 4, 2019 On a brisk evening in January, I had the honour of hosting a Burns Supper at the Mansion House with the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon. The night was complete with bagpipes, haggis, and of course a “wee dram” of whisky. The event brought together leading business figures from both sides of the border, [...]
Theresa May tells Corbyn to drop ‘impossible’ demand of ruling out a no deal Brexit January 17, 2019 Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn are at loggerheads after the Prime Minister refused to give in to Labour’s “impossible condition” of ruling out a no deal Brexit. In a letter to the Labour leader, May urged her opposite number to drop the demand – which is Corbyn’s precondition for any cross-party talks on breaking the [...]
Here’s how politicians and markets are reacting to parliament’s Brexit vote being pulled December 10, 2018 Reports that Prime Minister Theresa May has pulled a highly-anticipated parliamentary vote on her Brexit deal have sent shockwaves through Westminster and into wider business world. Sources told City A.M. tomorrow’s so-called meaningful vote, in which May faced almost-certain defeat, has been dropped after over 100 Conservative MPs vowed to vote against the government. The [...]
Theresa May urges Labour voters to ‘look beyond’ party labels and back her plan for post-Brexit Britain October 7, 2018 Theresa May has launched a bid to woo disgruntled Labour voters, asking them to "look at her party afresh" and "beyond party labels". Writing in the Observer yesterday, May said she wanted the Conservatives to be a party "for the whole country" and that the Tories were capable of going beyond criticising the opposition. "To [...]
Scottish referendum revisited: Is an independent Scotland becoming inevitable? September 7, 2015 A fortnight today (18 September) will mark the first anniversary of the Scottish independence referendum – arguably the most important political event any of us in Scotland have experienced – giving pause for reflection on a year that has seen the referendum losers seem like winners, and vice versa. Despite the relatively decisive [...]
David Cameron: There will be no second Scottish independence referendum while I am Prime Minister July 28, 2015 The Prime Minister has rejected claims by Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon that she will dictate when a second Scottish independence referendum takes place, ruling out another vote in the current parliament. The timing of a second vote, Sturgeon said, would ultimately be her decision, agreeing with Alex Salmond, former SNP leader, that it [...]
Against the Grain: What Yanis Varoufakis can learn from a real game theory master – Nicola Sturgeon June 23, 2015 The gracious Palladian architecture of Edinburgh has often led the city to be described as the Athens of the North. If the referendum result had gone the other way, much closer parallels would have rapidly emerged. A high spending left wing government, faced with a collapse in revenues due to the fall in the oil [...]