Monthly Archives: March 2009

Reading the briefing from the US side on Mr Brown’s desperate visit to the new President, he would be better off not going. The President is born of the struggle to free the slaves and to free America from British colonialism. He does not automatically see the UK as his best friend. We hear that [...]

On Saturday I went to Stratford to see the Tempest. I went thinking it was not my favourite play by a long way. I was amazed at the stunning performance, which brought the magic to life and made some sense of Prospero’s ramblings. The Director used African magic on the enchanted island, vibrant with colour, [...]

I have always favoured an employee and management buy out of the postal service. Much of the Post Office is already privatised, as it takes the form of a string of small businesses operating the Post Office franchise through a big network of shops. Much of the transport is contracted out. I am not keenon [...]

Shortly after the expensive and clumsy nationalisation of Northern Rock I made a speech to a large dinner in London that we needed to move on from talking in billions about public finance. I suggested we needed a new larger unit. I proposed the “Rock” or £100 billion as the sensible unit for account, management [...]