From data analytics to broadband, lazy “business as usual” isn’t good enough from London’s next mayor April 26, 2016 On 5 May, a new mayor will be elected to run London. The new mayor’s ability to make life better for Londoners will depend not just on good policies but also on how well he or she can make the capital’s governing machinery work. London’s first two mayors have both been big figures, who in [...]
Brexit myths debunked: The Leave campaign shouldn’t fear arguing that leaving the EU would be good for the economy April 26, 2016 Conventional commentariat wisdom has it that the EU referendum pits those concerned about economics versus those concerned about immigration. But a quick perusal of the leading intellectual voices supporting Leave shows this is nonsense. Many have long thought the UK outside the EU would not only be more free and democratic, but more prosperous too. That’s [...]
Quantifying bank quality: Why four star TSB beats one star Barclays at delivering shareholder value April 26, 2016 Imagine you are on the short-list to become the chief executive of a bank. The interview is going well. It looks like you are their man. But then the conversation turns to rewards. The headhunter explains that you will be rewarded for increasing the bank’s price/book value. They give you a blank sheet of paper [...]
As a decision on Hinkley Point C is delayed yet again, are the economics of nuclear bust in the UK? April 26, 2016 Tony Lodge, research fellow at the Centre for Policy Studies, says Yes. News that the French decision to build the Hinkley C power station has been put back yet again is another blow to Britain’s fledgling energy policy. Unfortunately, it also further undermines what should be the positive case for new nuclear power plants in Britain. [...]
Panama papers: Why the era of operating behind a veil is coming to an end April 25, 2016 For the last three weeks, the Panama Papers have dominated headlines worldwide, leading to embarrassment, back-tracking and resignations among some of the world’s political elite. In the furore that’s followed, politicians have entered uncharted territory of scrutiny, with the publishing of tax returns now potentially a prerequisite for anyone seeking a job in high office. [...]
BHS administration: Who has blood on their hands as yet another retailer falls into administration? April 25, 2016 The loss of a UK retailing stalwart from our high streets is always a sad affair. There is, of course, a sense of nostalgia as old photos of where we once shopped appear. And the human tragedy of those losing their livelihoods – in the case of BHS that’s 10,000 current employees, and thousands more [...]
Estate agent wars: Why OnTheMarket is here to stay, even after the CMA warning April 25, 2016 You may have read last week about the open letter from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to estate agents to remind them about their obligations under competition law when choosing online property portals to advertise their properties. The CMA has been very clear in cautioning agents to act independently and not to collude. At OnTheMarket.com, we welcome [...]
Obama’s Brexit threat is a problem for Leave April 25, 2016 Did you catch the Obama show? You can hardly have missed the buildup, even if you didn’t tune in for the killer press conference where the leader of the free world told its largest foreign investor that we’d be banished to the back of the line if we came looking for a post-Brexit trade deal. The [...]
Obama’s desperate EU claims say more about Remain failures than Brexit truth April 25, 2016 Barack Obama is not a stupid man. So it is interesting when he says a patently stupid thing. The President, who remains far more popular in the UK than in the US, was called upon by an increasingly desperate David Cameron to add his two cents to the EU referendum debate. Despite what a number [...]
Why lawyers would be worse off outside the EU – despite a short-term Brexit boost April 25, 2016 I spoke last week at a Brexit debate hosted by Thomson Reuters; the impact on bankers and lawyers was the subject of discussion. More specifically, the question was “would Brexit be bad news for these two industries?” The poll at the end of this lively debate showed around 72 per cent of the audience thinking [...]