This may be the ideal time for a debate on a written constitution October 31, 2019 Recent events in parliament have led many people to ask whether this country needs a proper – or at least written – constitution. This suggests that we do not possess either of these things already. This is to some degree misguided, as significant parts of our constitution are already written and enshrined in legislation, all [...]
It’s Halloween: Beware the horror of an inescapable Brexit deadline October 31, 2019 By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes. And, though it may not be the devilry and delight of a Halloween Brexit, the new horror of an Advent election should fill us all with dread. Of the many spooky things in this world, the deadline is perhaps the most tense, highly-strung genre [...]
Can Boris Johnson magic the most important rabbit of all from out of his hat? October 31, 2019 Dynamo and Derren Brown had better watch out, for there is a new challenger looking to break through and compete for the title of Britain’s finest practitioner of magical arts: Boris Johnson. For his first act, our putative contender conjured up a Brexit deal with the EU that had previously been described as impossible to [...]
Dataminr is helping to save local journalism October 31, 2019 Journalism is in a tough spot. For decades, money and jobs in the industry have been in decline. The government’s Cairncross review, released last year, revealed the scope of the problem. It found that total press industry revenues had declined by more than half over the previous 10 years, and that the number of full-time [...]
Treasury committee urges reform of ‘broken’ business rates system October 31, 2019 Calls for the government to rethink its business rates system are being made in the run-up to the general election, with politicians and businesses urging reform amid mounting pressure on Britain’s high streets. An influential group of MPs has asked the government to examine alternatives to the controversial property tax, which generated more than £30bn [...]
UK consumer confidence at six-year low ahead of election October 31, 2019 Brits’ confidence in the economy fell back to its joint-lowest in six years this month, a survey showed today, as yet more Brexit uncertainty increased consumers’ gloom. Read more: Fourth time lucky as MPs back Boris Johnson for December election The consumer confidence index from market research institute GfK fell to minus 14 in October. [...]
Citi chief political analyst Tina Fordham moves to new boutique law firm Avonhurst October 31, 2019 Investment bank Citi’s chief global political analyst Tina Fordham is moving to new boutique law firm Avonhurst as a partner and head of global political strategy, the firm announced today. The hire is an unusual one as law firms have not traditionally advised their clients on political risk. Speaking to City A.M. Fordham said: “It [...]
Car makers suffer ‘another bitterly disappointing month’ as Brexit uncertainty maintains grip October 31, 2019 The malaise that has gripped Britain’s car makers for the last year deepened in September, as the threat of a no-deal Brexit slammed the brakes on investment and caused production to stall. Car manufacturing, an industry which has felt the effects of Brexit uncertainty more sharply than most, fell 3.8 per cent last month to [...]
Exclusive: Tories tap up City donors for £30m general election war chest October 30, 2019 The Conservatives are tapping up donors for a £30m general election fund to counter Labour’s twin threat of donations from unions and grassroots activists, City A.M understands. The party has been spooked by Labour’s successful 2017 election fundraising effort, which saw record sums of £56m raised. Read more: Most Brits think a general election won’t [...]
US Federal Reserve lowers rates again but signals it is done cutting October 30, 2019 The US Federal Reserve took the axe to interest rates for the third time in a row today, just hours after data showed the US economy slowed in the third quarter. Read more: US economic growth beats expectations with Fed poised to cut rates Fed president Jay Powell struck a more cautious tone than at [...]