Boris bans government ministers from Davos December 17, 2019 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has banned government ministers from the annual World Economic Forum jamboree in Davos. The Daily Mail’s Jason Groves reports that a Government source told him “Our focus is on delivering for the people, not champagne with billionaires.” The gathering of the business and political elite is seen as the premier networking [...]
Bees. Fridges. Secret tapes. That was the election that was. December 12, 2019 Elections, so the common wisdom goes, are won by smart political positioning, uniting figures and a well-thought-through ground game. Debate performances that change the dial, soaring speeches that speak to a country yearning for inspiration, the public coming together behind that single candidate who… Well, yes, we may have to revisit that — for despite [...]
Poll predicts Tory majority of 28, halved from a fortnight ago December 10, 2019 In a further sign that the election polls are narrowing, a comprehensive poll conducted by YouGov suggested the expected Tory majority to be 28 – a significant fall from the 68 they predicted a fortnight ago. The final MRP poll of 2019 found that were the election to be held tomorrow, the Conservatives would be [...]
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the BBC licence fee he said — whilst muttering something about not concocting policy on the hoof —that it seemed rather outdated.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 [...]
