Maternity pay is an investment, not a cost October 3, 2024 Shortsighted criticism of the cost and admin involved in maternity leave do not take account of the wider benefits to society, says John Oxley There may be some businesses that bristle at the costs and admin of maternity leave. While the state essentially picks up the tab for statutory leave, this doesn’t stretch to the [...]
Who came out on top at Conservative Party Conference? October 3, 2024 While Kemi Badenoch did the most to undermine her own chances of becoming leader of the Conservative Party, James Cleverly came across as everybody’s favourite second choice, William Atkinson Party conferences are always odd. As Conservative membership has dwindled from 1m in 1990 to around 100,000 today – CCHQ won’t publish the figure, out of [...]
Let’s be honest… the Conservatives are deluded October 3, 2024 The Conservative Party is enjoying the sugar rush of a leadership campaign, but the grim reality of opposition will soon sink in, says Matthew Lesh The vibe at the Conservative Party conference this week in Birmingham was chipper. Well-lubricated members excitedly shuffled between drinks receptions headlined by the four leadership contenders. There were impromptu rallies, [...]
The ECHR is a vital guarantor of our freedom October 3, 2024 Far from endangering our freedoms, the ECHR makes the individual, not the state, the centre of the international order, says Sam Fowles An immutable law of modern politics is that the louder a politician bloviates about “freedom” the more authoritarian they will be in power. The last government waxed lyrical about “freedom of speech” then [...]
Tories must get out of their bubble and listen to business October 2, 2024 To those outside the bubble of true blue believers, Conservative party conference looked deranged. As violence exploded in the Middle East, delegates in Birmingham were battling over novelty merchandise and queuing for selfies with election losers. Fringe events debating the meaning of conservatism were packed while corporate sponsors and business lobbyists were conspicuous by their [...]
Business leaders must seize the opportunities of the new media age October 2, 2024 Understanding the new media age is a must for bosses, argues Grayling CEO Heather Blundell Almost 30-years ago, in 1996, Bill Gates wrote his seminal essay, “Content is King,” examining the paramount importance of content in the digital era. The future he envisioned – a print press evolving into electronic online editions with deeper and [...]
The Notebook: Three quarters of Brits don’t invest – it’s time for a confidence boost October 2, 2024 Most Brits just aren't investing - but a little confidence could make all the difference, writes Camilla Esmund in today's Notebook.
The stakes are high for Starmer’s post-Brexit return to Brussels October 2, 2024 Brexit remains a defining issue, but say it quietly, writes Andrew Hammond as he explores what could come up on Starmer's Brussels trip.
In defence of ‘Woke Capitalism’ October 2, 2024 DEI schemes are there to improve businesses and equality. What are the opponents of 'woke capitalism' so afraid of, asks Eleanor Kaye.
The main task of the next Tory leader is to repaint the party’s image October 2, 2024 The dominant narrative around a government’s record is more important than the facts, writes Paul Ormerod