Sajid Javid denies ‘no alignment’ with EU plan will hit manufacturers January 21, 2020 Sajid Javid has denied the government’s policy of “no alignment” with European Union rules will damage the manufacturing industry. The chancellor was asked whether comments made over the weekend that some firms would not benefit from Brexit meant he was prepared to sacrifice some UK manufacturers. He said: “No, not at all. We look forward [...]
Move over, ‘Davos Man’, climate is the big issue this year January 21, 2020 It’s that time of the year again: policymakers, politicians, bankers, activists, journalists, and a swathe of cameras are descending upon the snowy peaks of Davos for the World Economic Forum (WEF). Once branded the playground for the elite, epitomised by the stereotypical champagne swashing “Davos Man”, this year the gathering ostensibly seems to be morphing [...]
In the impeachment saga, Trump Derangement Syndrome is destroying the Democrats January 20, 2020 In politics, as in life, hatred can get in the way. And the base of the Democratic party, even more than its leadership, hates Donald Trump beyond reason. Over the impeachment saga, hatred is killing them. There are, of course, myriad reasons — some of which I share — to despise the President. Trump’s ugly braggadocio, [...]
Chancellor Sajid Javid warns business ‘there will be no alignment’ with EU on regulations January 18, 2020 The Chancellor has warned businesses that “there will not be alignment” with the EU on regulations following Brexit. Sajid Javid said firms will have to “adjust” to new regulations. The automotive and pharmaceutical industries were among those that warned the government last year of the damage that not aligning with the EU could do. Javid [...]
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group to close six Jack Wills stores January 16, 2020 High street fashion brand Jack Wills has announced it will shut six stores, blaming “unhelpful” landlords for the closures. Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group, which bought the fashion retailer out of administration for £12.8m last year, today said shops in Bournemouth, Camberley, Cheltenham, Soho, Turo and Witney will close within the next month. Ashley’s retail empire, [...]
FTSE 100 subdued ahead of US-China trade deal meeting January 15, 2020 The FTSE 100 has opened almost flat ahead of US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese vice premier Liu He, where the pair are set to sign an initial trade deal. Britain’s blue chip index was sitting 0.08 per cent up in morning trading ahead of the signing on Wednesday. Both US and Asian markets [...]
A tip for Dominic Cummings: Don’t hire anyone who fails to grasp the power of incentives January 15, 2020 The job advert issued by Dominic Cummings for people to work in government has attracted a wide range of comments. One particular focus has been on the sorts of skills he is looking for. Computer science, forecasting, artificial intelligence, causality theory — all these topics excite his interest. Cummings advocates a small selection of scientific [...]
Time to cull the ministers who sit around the cabinet table January 15, 2020 Walter Bagehot, one of the fathers of our modern constitutional structure, believed that the cabinet was the “efficient secret” of the British state. But what if the institution is now too large to run the country efficiently? I agree with the assessment from chief Number 10 aide Dominic Cummings that the cabinet as it stands [...]
DEBATE: Is a new ‘Trump deal’ the answer to the Iran nuclear problem? January 15, 2020 Is a new “Trump deal” the answer to the Iran nuclear problem? YES, says Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction. Does anyone genuinely believe that Donald Trump’s objection to the Iran nuclear deal was based on detailed analysis of its contents? No. Trump rejected it as part of his obsession with dismantling Barack Obama’s legacy. [...]
Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic spaceship passes construction milestone January 8, 2020 Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has reached a major milestone in the construction of its next passenger spaceship, it said. All major structural elements have been assembled, and the rocket is standing on its landing gear at Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Read more: Sir Richard Branson set to launch Virgin Galactic IPO [...]