Whisky business: A wintry trip to the magical Highlands December 10, 2019 Winter sun, this ain’t. Trundling northwards through the Cairngorms towards Inverness, you could be forgiven for thinking you were travelling through an alien landscape. Grey, spare hills emerge from the drizzly low cloud; the “torrents and loud-poured floods” of Rabbie Burns’ poetry run high and violent. Not for nothing do the Scots have several different [...]
The Beeb needs reform December 10, 2019 In an unconventional move for a frontline politician at election time, Boris Johnson yesterday offered an honest and reasonably clear answer to a question. Asked what he thought of the BBC licence fee he said — whilst muttering something about not concocting policy on the hoof —that it seemed rather outdated. Well, he’s right. Some [...]
Tory border policy will need some revisiting December 6, 2019 There has been much discussion of the Tories’ planned Aussie-style points-based immigration system in this election. The Conservatives present the issue as a welcome chance to reboot the UK’s border policy once we leave the European Union, and there is much credit to that objective. Theresa May’s ludicrous “tens of thousands” pledge came with her [...]
Our school system needs tinkering, not ripping up December 4, 2019 Education, education, education. Brits of a certain vintage will remember those three words, underpinning the foundations of New Labour’s message in 1997. The effectiveness of Tony Blair’s reforms is still being debated, not least with regard to his policy of sending 50 per cent of students to university, but one cannot question how effective those [...]
New beer and pubs boss looks to ensure industry keeps its fizz December 3, 2019 Beer is proof God loves us and wants us to be happy” is a quote that adorns tourist-tat t-shirts and bar mirrors across the world. It also, as far as anyone can tell, was never actually said by the man usually given credit — Benjamin Franklin. But regardless of whether the Founding Father uttered the words, [...]
Capitalism must keep an eye on itself, too November 29, 2019 Appointments to top regulatory jobs do not necessarily set the pulse of the nation racing, but the installation of Samantha Barrass as head of the new Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) is one that the City should pay attention to. Not necessarily because we expect the BBRS to be busy — though in its early [...]
Johnson fights the socialists but Brexit still overshadows all November 25, 2019 Compared to Labour’s manifesto, which offered everything to everyone, yesterday’s Tory manifesto launch felt almost ascetic. Much of what was in the document had already been announced, and such surprises as were in evidence were not the type to change the direction of the election. The Conservatives will be eminently relaxed about this; some in [...]
This election is a battle Labour does not deserve to win November 22, 2019 In 2004, the US chat show host Oprah Winfrey gave away a brand new car to each member of her studio audience. It was badged as an act of unparalleled generosity — though, as is the way of these things, the reality was more complicated. Gift taxes hit recipients hard — and the cars themselves [...]
A welcome revival for tax-cutting instincts November 21, 2019 Tax cuts — remember them? So far, this has not been an election campaign to warm the hearts of those who yearn for a smaller state, whether it comes to the government’s outgoings or its revenue-raising appetite. The Liberal Democrats yesterday joined the political pole vault contest in which parties promise to spend ever higher, [...]
Prince Andrew steps back from Royal duties but will continue business role November 20, 2019 PRINCE Andrew last night said he will step back from Royal duties as corporate sponsors continued to sever ties with his entrepreneurship schemes following his widely criticised BBC interview. The announcement from the palace came hours after two more FTSE 100 companies abandoned the prince amid the fallout from his Newsnight grilling over links to [...]
