Cameron’s EU balancing act makes treaty renegotiation unavoidable January 22, 2013 IT’S months later than planned, but David Cameron will finally deliver his much-anticipated speech on Europe today. We first expected him to speak last autumn. Then an unfortunate clash with the anniversary of the Élysée Treaty prompted a rethink. And crisis in Algeria forced another postponement. But Cameron’s “speech to end all Europe speeches” is [...]
Justification for tax evasion crackdown has worrying shades of Brown January 22, 2013 KEIR Starmer, the director of public prosecutions, has vowed to “ramp up” the number of prosecutions against tax evasion five-fold in two years. He plans to target middle-class earners, citing as examples “lawyers, tax consultants and plumbers” – an intriguing perspective on the British class system. Or perhaps we are all middle-class now. It is, [...]
Crack down on the high cost of living or growth suffers January 22, 2013 THE emergence of competitive economies in the East is a well-known phenomenon. But less understood is the challenge this poses to the West. First, the rising East will squeeze traditional markets (albeit while creating new ones). Secondly, it will turn the terms of trade for primary products against us. We are not powerless, however. Emerging [...]
As global leaders descend on Davos, is the World Economic Forum just a talking shop? January 22, 2013 YES Louise Cooper “To improve the state of the world” is a great objective for a conference. But such lofty ideals fall short of the shmoozefest that is Davos. For the optimists, this year’s title should bring a cold shower of reality – Resilient Dynamism. I had to turn to the dictionary for help. Davos [...]
Letters to the editor January 22, 2013 Debt killed growth [Re: Economic perfect storm: The four trends that killed Western growth, yesterday] The debt supercycle, as Tim Morgan puts it, captured politicians, consumers, and companies in its wake, defying all logic. But only two of those groups have since woken up to its consequences. The latest government deficit figures remain appalling, and it’s entirely [...]
No one is too talented to discard January 22, 2013 MOUSETRAPS nestle behind the sink in the gents’ toilets. Rugby training kit crowds shelves in a tiny clubhouse bar, which is improbably squeezed under railway arches. The spartan, chilly “office” upstairs is strewn with cobwebs. In many ways, humble Millwall RFC is the ideal setting to meet Stuart Lancaster. For the England rugby head coach [...]
The best estate car on the market January 22, 2013 Driving a rear-wheel drive car in the snow and ice is the only time any self-respecting petrol-head might wish for front-wheel drive. It’s also when the traction control warning light is at its most comforting. So it was for us, skating our way out of a snowed-in car park on the M2 services, running and [...]
Car talk January 22, 2013 Happy 100th Birthday Aston Martin As part of its centenary celebrations, Aston Martin airlifted a Vanquish super car – 1,000ft above the ground – onto the helipad of Dubai’s iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel last week, ensuring excellent photographic opportunities. Aston Martin was founded 100 years ago in London’s Henniker Mews on 15 January 1913. [...]
The UK has lost its position as a genuine haven January 22, 2013 THE notion of the UK as a safe haven is unravelling. As more economic data filters through, and questions about the UK’s role within Europe continue to dominate headlines, the pound is set to come under intense pressure. On a trade-weighted basis, sterling has fallen in value by 20 per cent since the start of [...]
Bradford slay Villa to reach final January 22, 2013 ASTON VILLA 2 vs BRADFORD CITY 1 Bradford City win 4-3 on aggregate JUBILANT Bradford manager Phil Parkinson admitted he was in “dreamland” last night after completing another Capital One Cup giant-killing to reach the final – and land a trip to Las Vegas. James Hanson’s second-half header earned the Bantams an aggregate victory to [...]
