Category Archives: Blog

                       The Prime Minister was correct to seek the facts on Dr Fox before making a judgement. Dr Fox himself decided to resign as he reflected on the facts that were emerging about his case. The Prime Minister need not worry about the “backlash from the right” that the media have been trying to [...]

             I have written before that for centuries one of the main aims of UK foreign policy has been to avoid one single power dominating the continent of Europe. The question today is why has the modern Foreign Office changed its mind on this fundamental issue? Why is it now UK government policy to [...]

           The Care Quality Commission Report yesterday was shocking.  I would be interested to hear comments on other experiences of the quality of care in hospitals, especially for the elderly. Why have there been such serious lapses in nursing standards?

The UK government – Coalition Ministers, senior officials, the Bank, the FSA and the rest – buy the argument that a collapse of the Euro would do untold damage to Euroland, and therefore to us, given the trade we do with Europe. Their predecessors took a similar view of the Exchange Rate Mechanism. They spent [...]

The news that The Slovakian Parliament has vetoed the bail out plan for the Euro has so far been taken quite well by the markets. They know how EU democracy works. If the EU authorities do not get the answer they want from a vote, they expect the vote to be taken again and again [...]

              Tim Montgomerie on Conservative Home has pointed out that not many party members go to conference any more.  The main parties now stage big annual events for the corporate guests, lobbyists and media. They provide a platform for Ministers and Shadow Ministers to make their announcements. Leaders heave a sigh of relief if [...]

             The decision to nationalise Dexia, and to offer Euro 90 billion of funding guarantees to this bank, alongisde creating a bad bank, shows they have learnt nothing from the crisis so far. Meanwhile the French and German leaders decide that they delay a few more weeks before having a working plan to deal [...]

          There has been one of those pointless and repetitious British debates about public  spending over the last fortnight concerning health spending. The government  says they will increase health spending every year in real terms. They mean by this they will ensure a cash increase in spending which goes up by a  bit more [...]

              The media went to town on the “grenade” Mr Tyrie chucked into the Chancellor’s path with his wide ranging condemnation of current economic policy last week-end. They have largely ignored the equally explosive attack on Mr Hammond the Transport Secretary  made by no less a figure than Archie Norman.            Mr Norman was a [...]

 Great news for people who want to soak the rich. Anyone on 52% Income Tax and NI is paying much more when you take into account  tax on their typical purchases.        The following are the marginal rates of tax if a well paid person wants to pay for something,as well as paying the income tax - [...]