Prosperity or pound shop? Our free trade future awaits August 9, 2019 Like most of us, I’ve been watching the new government in the UK with interest – and no small measure of anxiety. As it became clear that Boris Johnson would emerge as the new PM, it also became clear that there would be a sharp change in government policy across the board. Theresa May, for [...]
Enough buffoonery, Boris: it’s time for you to step up July 26, 2019 They say a week is a long time in politics. By that measure, this one has been longer than most. We’ve seen Theresa May’s departure from Downing Street (headed for Lords, it seems, and most likely a glass or two of chilled Pinot Grigio) and the installation of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson as prime [...]
Private in the public eye? How a royal fairytale can turn into a nightmare July 17, 2019 A lot of seasoned royal watchers predicted that Miss Markle would give the Royal Family a new edge, a modern, feminist twist and a dose of Hollywood fame into the bargain. It isn’t quite working out that way.
Pop Master: Longevity in broadcasting July 4, 2019 As some of you will know, I host a podcast called Media Masters. It really does what it says on the tin, speaking to people who’ve conquered the media world about how they got where they are and what drives them. I feel guilty sometimes, as it never actually feels like work. I’ve had the [...]
Hide and seek? Adventures in Borisland July 2, 2019 No-one who has observed British politics over the past 15 years could possibly think that Boris is shy of the media or dislikes his face appearing on the news. What on earth is going on?
Getting a better deal for the consumer? That’s music to my ears June 27, 2019 It’s hard to recall now how long we’ve been hearing that the music industry is changing: in flux, in transition, in crisis, most recently in the development of reliable music streaming; like any other industry, the music business is always on the lookout for the next big thing, the opportunity to get in at the [...]
Fix the High Street June 20, 2019 I spend a lot of my life on the move. I live near Milton Keynes, my office is in London, and I spend half my time visiting our bases in New York and Los Angeles. I’ve got a lot of air miles, a screwed-up body clock and a ruthlessly controlled diary – as well as [...]
Sticks and stones may break my bones June 14, 2019 We live in a world which is becoming ever more difficult to satirise. Reality now far outstrips parody for overblown farce and exaggerated absurdity. Back in 2000, The Simpsons featured a flash-forward episode which foresaw a ridiculous future in which property mogul and vapid celebrity Donald Trump had become President of the United States. Switch [...]
They call it ‘the idiot box’ for a reason… June 11, 2019 The competition to become leader of the Conservative Party – and, by default, prime minister – is still in its early stages, yet has already been extraordinary. We peaked at 13 hopefuls, which has now been whittled down to ten registered runners, of whom five are members of the current cabinet (four of the others resigned [...]
Ryanair, did you learn nothing from United Airlines? October 22, 2018 I HAVE OFTEN said that silence is golden. There is an exception to this rule, and that’s when you are dealing with a reputational crisis. When it comes to unforeseen blow-ups, you need to prepare in advance so that, if a crisis hits, you – and not the media – are in control. Decisive action [...]
