The UK political system is dying and can only be saved by wholescale digitisation March 17, 2015 Look at the retail industry which has been revolutionised by digital, by online brands such as Amazon; and the likes of the taxi industry which is being disrupted by brands like Uber. But what about the UK political system, how is it using digital to engage with the electorate? To put it simply, it isn’t. [...]
Budget 2015: George Osborne has failed to face up to Britain’s long-term fiscal challenges March 16, 2015 We know a lot about tomorrow’s Budget from George Osborne’s TV appearances over the weekend. He will announce “a Budget for the long term” that will “raise living standards”. It will be a balanced Budget that avoids the problems of the previous government, which “got itself into trouble with unfunded promises”. To satisfy the chancellor’s [...]
George Osborne likes to think the unthinkable: Now he should abolish the Budget March 16, 2015 It’s a well-known saying that “turkeys don’t vote for Christmas”. So calling for George Osborne to take to the despatch box tomorrow and announce that he’s abolishing future Budgets – in turn, greatly diminishing the Treasury’s power – might seem a fanciful plea. In truth, it’s about as likely as Ed Miliband offering journalists the [...]
Housing Zones: How we’re using creative partnerships to build homes for London March 16, 2015 This week, thousands will gather in Westminster for the Homes for Britain rally. They are calling for the housing crisis to be solved in a generation by building more homes, with the challenge symbolised by a giant key being passed between campaigners from Land’s End to London. This week the key reached Lewisham, at a [...]
A year after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, has the West managed to contain Vladimir Putin? March 16, 2015 Timothy Ash, head of emerging market research (excluding Africa) at Standard Bank, says Yes To answer this, one has to understand Vladimir Putin’s overall long-term strategic objectives regarding Ukraine. If they are threefold – no EU, no Nato and no successful Maidan administration in Kiev – then the Russian President has unfinished business. The combination [...]
The Conservatives have outlived their usefulness: It’s time for a southern party March 16, 2015 Us southerners are over-taxed, says Kelvin MacKenzie. We must fight back I FEEL gloomy about the outcome of the General Election. If you could choose your enemy in politics, I presume David Cameron would pick Ed Miliband ahead of anybody else on the Labour benches with the possible exception of that portly prat Tom Watson. [...]
London will only solve its housing crisis if we face up to Green Belt myths March 15, 2015 London has been the most successful global city in the last quarter century. The brightest young people wish to live here, and it is a world leader in countless fields – professional and financial services, higher education, culture and sport among others. London’s population growth is a direct result of its success. But unless this [...]
Should chancellor George Osborne use the Budget to deliver a pre-election giveaway? March 15, 2015 John Longworth, director-general at the British Chambers of Commerce, says Yes. The current situation in the UK lends itself well to the chancellor being able to deliver a pre-election giveaway. Public finances have improved in recent months, the outlook for the economy is relatively positive, as highlighted in our recent economic forecast, and the OBR [...]
General Election 2015: The Conservatives have outlived their usefulness – it’s time for a Southern Party March 15, 2015 I feel gloomy about the outcome of the General Election. If you could choose your enemy in politics, I presume David Cameron would pick Ed Miliband ahead of anybody else on the Labour benches with the possible exception of that portly prat Tom Watson. But I look at the issue from the other end [...]
Why Clarkson fills a gap no one else can March 14, 2015 I love BrewDog. It’s not just that I’m an ale drinker – I love the brand’s attitude, and refusal to conform or bow to public pressure. Last year, in response to criticism from industry regulator the Portman Group – a body James Watts (the brand’s co-founder) described as a “gloomy gaggle of killjoy jobsworths” [...]