Sunak is laying out a climate trap for Labour to fall into at an election barry johnston As the world looks on at Rishi Sunak’s climate decisions with bemusement, his target is an electoral victory banking on the “ULEZ effect”, writes Barry Johnston Last week in New York, on the margins of a major UN summit to accelerate action on climate change, all talk was, incredibly, of the Uxbridge by-election. Such was [...]
Airlines are a victim of their own success in creating unstoppable demand Barry Johnston Delays - yes, including those as a result of an erroneous flight plan - are a small price to pay for modern airlines.
Hunt should join the Mottley crew of reformers at the World Bank and IMF Barry Johnston There are many interesting conversations taking place at the World Bank and IMF. Unfortunately, the UK government and the City seem to be absent from these discussions, writes Barry Johnston
I might hate the beeping of induction, but in the stove climate wars I’ll turn the gas off January 19, 2023 Barry Johnston gives his take on the culture war pitting gas hobs against induction - and finds that it's time we think about what it means to make the switch, for the environment
The United Nations’ gathering was an urgent call for our leaders to think bold September 27, 2022 If you noticed the city a little empty of the usual politico, media and business types last week, it wasn’t an extension of the official mourning period. As soon as the ceremonials were complete large swathes of our political class decamped to the United Nations General Assembly, the annual diplomatic circus that takes over the [...]
The public shaming of P&O won’t help us give up the habit of exploitation for good March 25, 2022 We all know the playbook by now. Big corporation does something immoral or illegal, often both. Cue public outcry and calls for “something to be done”. The chief exec is hauled before a parliamentary committee to account for himself (it’s usually a man) and then, well … that’s often where things end. But this time, [...]
Credit Suisse’s scalped chairman lays bare the new rules of post-purpose business January 18, 2022 Perhaps it’s time for an amnesty. All those in prominent positions in public life who flouted a lockdown rule here or there should fess up in return for a short, sharp rebuke from Sue Gray and no further repercussions. No doubt the prime minister would welcome such a resolution. But it would come too late [...]
Debate: Do Boris Johnson’s bumbles in his speech to business leaders really matter? November 23, 2021 Barry Johnston of Purpose Union says Yes The last time I heard someone talk about Peppa Pig and make car noises, it was my two year old nephew. It appears he’s now moonlighting as the Prime Minister’s speechwriter. As we are all repeatedly reminded, Johnson lionises Churchill, so it’s odd he is so cavalier with [...]
