Spring Statement: stability today, storms tomorrow Opinion The Spring Statement successfully avoided immediate policy changes and provided the Chancellor with increased fiscal headroom, but risks loom from international conflict and unsustainable spending plans, says James Nation The Treasury and the Chancellor did everything possible to convince us that this time would be different. The ‘Spring Forecast Statement’ fell on a Tuesday, not [...]
To understand Labour’s challenge on investment, look to Saint Matthew Opinion Why are all the infrastructure projects the Chancellor wants to invest in in the South? James Nations says the answer can be found in Matthew’s Gospel: “for to everyone who has, more shall be given”… With the Chancellor wanting to move the conversation on from last year’s doom and gloom, she might be pleased to [...]
Labour will be thinking global, but their fortunes depend on the local Opinion Labour strategists will be focused on what Trump’s victory means for Britain and the world, but the government will soon face big challenges at the local level, says James Nation Following on from the US election result, takes abound on what Trump 2.0 means for the world and for the UK. On the economy, there [...]
Can Rachel Reeves get us excited about investing? October 10, 2024 If Rachel Reeves is serious about the need for greater investment, she needs to tell a story about why it’s more important than day-to-day spending, says James Nation When was the last time you heard about Labour’s ‘missions’? What is their overriding governing thought or story? Homing in on a message and then sticking to [...]
Fuel allowance furore has made life terribly tricky for the Treasury September 26, 2024 Decision making in the Treasury is an unenviable task, and the winter fuel payments row just made it harder, writes James Nation.
Is there a Tufton Street of the left? September 5, 2024 With think tankers and campaigners being appointed to government, it’s tempting to think these secretive groups are calling the tune, but there are better ways to work out what Labour really thinks, says James Nation Over the last 14 years, there was a theory among some commentators that went something like this: yes, Conservative Prime [...]
Getting ‘everyone in the room’ won’t cut it, Labour must be ready to cause upset July 23, 2024 To govern as an ‘adult’, Labour must confront the hard decisions now and be ready to cause some controversy, writes James Nation.
