In defence of Brewdog’s James Watt Benedict Spence James Watt may not be a very nice man and his beer isn’t that great either, but at least Brewdog proved that pubs didn’t have to die, writes Benedict Spence I don’t particularly like Brewdog’s beer. There’s something about it that leans too far from what a beer should be. I’ve given enough of them [...]
DEBATE: Is a virtual office Christmas party a disastrous idea? Is a virtual office Christmas party a disastrous idea? John Oxley, a Conservative commentator, says YES. The only thing worse than enforced fun is enforced virtual fun. Real office parties are barely enjoyable. Spending an evening with colleagues you are largely indifferent to is an obligation you endure, because if you don’t they put “Poor [...]
A.M. Debate: Should drinking alcohol be banned in parliament? A.M. Debate: Should drinking alcohol be banned in parliament? Matthew Jukes, wine taster and founder of Jukes Cordialities, says YES The most notorious bill in the Palace of Westminster is the bar bill. It’s no secret: while parliament’s bars are temporarily closed during lockdown, in normal times our MPs are knocking it back, left, right and centre. Don’t get me wrong, I am as [...]
DEBATE: Is the Eat Out To Help Out scheme the solution our struggling restaurant sector needs? August 4, 2020 Is the Eat Out To Help Out scheme the solution our struggling restaurant sector needs? Benedict Spence, a freelance writer and avid gourmand, says YES. It seems fitting that a government led by a man so perplexingly successful in the bedroom would launch a national recovery initiative with a name carrying such potential for smut. [...]
DEBATE: With one in three of us wanting to keep working from home, is it too soon to urge Londoners back to the office? July 21, 2020 With one in three of us wanting to keep working from home, is it too soon to urge Londoners back to the office? Ben Kelly, a commentator for Reaction, says YES. For months we were told to stay at home and hide from the deadly virus. Unfortunately — for the government and our economy — [...]
DEBATE: Should government pay wages to workers affected by coronavirus? March 23, 2020 Should the government pay wages to workers whose incomes have been affected by the coronavirus crisis? YES – Sam Bowman, director of competition policy at the International Centre for Law & Economics. This is a very unusual recession. It is self-inflicted, and will hit highly productive and less productive businesses alike. To allow them to [...]
DEBATE: Is there any real benefit to food brands jumping on Veganuary? January 13, 2020 From Greggs to Burger King, the ‘Veganuary’ movement is quickly gaining members — but is there any real benefit to food brands that jump on the plant-based bandwagon? YES, says Mike Foster, founder and creative director of Straight Forward Design. Just ask Greggs. Its vegan sausage roll, launched during Veganuary 2019, is the bakery chain’s biggest [...]
DEBATE: Should more businesses consider offering ‘hangover days’? December 13, 2019 Should more businesses consider offering ‘hangover days’? Claire Crompton, director of The Audit Lab, says YES. Hangover days are essentially sexed-up working from home days. We offer them to allow employees the flexibility to be accountable for their own productivity and targets. We are decisively anti-micro management, and trust the people who work for us. [...]
DEBATE: Is there any point to LinkedIn? October 28, 2019 Is there any point to LinkedIn? Asad Moghal, digital and content manager at legal PR specialist Byfield Consultancy, says YES. It is probably obvious from my job title why I would say this, but there is a point to LinkedIn. Since Microsoft purchased the platform in 2016, LinkedIn has successfully changed its reputation as the [...]
Debate: Does Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal have a high chance of passing in the House of Commons? October 18, 2019 Does Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal have a high chance of passing in the House of Commons? Yes – Benedict Spence is a freelance writer If MPs have one thing in mind as “Super Saturday” rapidly approaches, it should be this: the public is watching them closely. Boris Johnson has miraculously returned from Europe with a [...]
