Do not ignore activists during difficult times June 28, 2016 As profits warnings fly and share prices tank in the post referendum world, business leaders will need to work out how to steer their companies through some choppy waters ahead. Boards will have to step up their game in terms of governance and strategy. And help may be at hand from what at first sight seems [...]
What’s behind the rise of anti-establishment politics? From Brexit to Trump and Bernie Sanders, frustration at inequality is rising – and some experts think central bank policies are to blame June 28, 2016 Anti-establishment sentiment is growing, with political leaders seen as “alternative” drawing support across the Western world – from the rise of Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump in the US, to France’s National Front, Germany’s AfD, Italy’s Lega Nord and Syriza in Greece. The surprise triumph of the Brexit movement falls into this camp too. And a [...]
Brexit has turned everything on its head – and now business needs to take charge of the debate June 27, 2016 City firms and the wider business community should be throwing themselves into policy and campaign design in order to persuade open-minded Tory party leadership candidates of the sort of tax and regulatory framework they need to thrive outside the EU. Many businesses will be unhappy with last week’s result, but they now have the opportunity [...]
It’s the beginning of the end – either of Jeremy Corbyn or the Labour Party itself June 27, 2016 Nine months after being elected leader with the biggest mandate in the history of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn stands on the precipice of being ousted from the post. Within hours of the Brexit result on Friday morning, rumours of impending shadow ministerial resignations began to circulate. Extraordinarily, more than two-thirds of the shadow cabinet [...]
Financial services are more important than ever to the UK after Brexit – and we must fight to avoid permanent injury June 27, 2016 The British public has chosen to leave the EU. As a result, we are now more rather than less reliant on the major players in the UK economy, in particular financial services. The industry has been bracing itself for short-term economic and market volatility in reaction to this outcome. It’s going to be testing, but [...]
As the pound plunges to a 31-year low against the dollar, should the UK fear the dramatic fall in sterling? June 27, 2016 Joe Rundle, head of trading at ETX Capital, says Yes. Britain is a net importer with a large current account deficit that needs to be sustained. That’s going to get even more expensive with a weak pound and possible rating downgrade combining to weigh heavily on our nation’s finances. Consumer prices will rise sharply as imports [...]
Be careful what you wish for: Seven Brexit takeaways June 27, 2016 The result of the UK’s EU referendum came as a massive shock to the markets and was no fun for a large number of people. Unlike those in the Remain camp, who pointed to the market turmoil yelling “I told you so”, it gives me no sense of schadenfreude thinking of people seeing their pension [...]
Britain needs a liberal post-referendum plan June 27, 2016 Does the country feel different to you? Do you feel it stands a little taller in the world or has it already shrunk in status? Whatever your perspective on the referendum result, Britain now finds itself at an historic and unprecedented juncture. First and foremost, the outcome of this vote must be accepted as the democratic [...]
Set out a real plan for Brexit – and prepare for fiscal stimulus – to put a floor under business confidence June 26, 2016 With the EU referendum concluded, attention has already turned to defining what type of exit the government will pursue. Whatever view you hold on the merits of an exit from the EU, the exact economic impact is uncertain. This is mainly because “it” is not predetermined – there exist a range of views among Brexiteers. [...]
The UK must remain in the Single Market to protect our vital financial services industry June 26, 2016 Canada has thrived as a financial and trading centre for more than a thousand years and will continue to do so. While there will be some uncertainty as Brexit negotiations begin, London remains the financial centre of one of the largest economies in the world, and indeed for most of Europe. There [...]