Reshuffles rarely succeed in saving bad governments September 3, 2012 THE history of the reshuffle reads like a drab succession of failed careers and forgotten initiatives. Who remembers Harold Macmillan’s ruthless removal of a third of his cabinet in 1962? Who can name the 12 transport secretaries since 1997? Why was Lord Alan Sugar made an “enterprise champion” in 2009? Reshuffles come in many forms, but [...]
Should the government loosen restrictions on house building across Green Belt land? September 3, 2012 YES Tim Leunig Britain’s population is growing, and people need to live somewhere. We can build up, or we can build out. We can’t rely on regenerating former manufacturing sites, because there aren’t enough of them – particularly where housing is most needed. If we don’t built anywhere, prices will shoot up, and lots of [...]
Rapid Responses September 3, 2012 Don’t tax wealth [Re: Clegg’s confused narrative offers no remedy to Britain’s problems, Thursday] Nick Clegg’s suggestion of another tax on wealth is good politics but a dirty way to look for votes. It lacks moral merit and any foresight on how to tackle the deep-rooted problems facing an ailing UK economy in recession. He further [...]
Why we need a new golden rule for businesses – a Labour perspective September 2, 2012 NO ONE should doubt the seriousness of the public sector deficit and the need to reduce it – but it cannot be treated in isolation. In meeting its promise to explain the principles by which it would steer the economy if it gets into power, the Labour party needs a new golden rule; not only [...]
The hub of the matter: Growing aviation capacity will stop firms taking flight September 2, 2012 IN THE ongoing debate on aviation capacity, we have become gridlocked in a game of political poker. Nobody is prepared to grasp the nettle, despite the obvious benefits increased capacity would generate for our economy. We need international trade to grow. The default position at the moment is against the construction of a third runway [...]
As China is getting bolder the West is losing confidence September 2, 2012 LIVING and working in China – where I teach urban design to eager architecture students – is a constant adventure. Unlike the UK, where we seem to spend our time discussing what, how or even whether to build, it is exciting to be in a country that is actually doing it. China is building 20 [...]
Was it a risky move by Barclays to appoint Antony Jenkins as its new chief executive? September 2, 2012 YES Erin Davis All in all, we’re pleased with the appointment of Antony Jenkins but note that it is not without risk. Together, Walker and Jenkins project a credible and much-needed change in Barclays’ corporate culture. In our opinion, former chief executive Bob Diamond’s often brash demeanour exacerbated negative public and political sentiment towards the [...]
Rapid responses September 2, 2012 The inside man [RE: Barclays appoints Antony Jenkins as chief executive, Thursday] Antony Jenkins is a surprising choice, but it may have been better if outside executives were appointed. Take nothing away from the validity of Jenkins’s candidacy; it was first class. He ticked all the boxes. He was a “Barclays Man” through to the [...]
Steady hands will be navigating Barclays through murky waters August 30, 2012 THE appointment of Antony Jenkins as the new boss of Barclays is a clear indication that the Barclays of the future will be very different from that of the past. He may be an insider – a Barclays man – but Jenkins is a retail banker, having made his name at Barclaycard and in branch [...]
Human curiosity for technological innovation should lift all our spirits August 30, 2012 NASA’S new Mars rover, Curiosity, has a processor ten times slower than a modern smartphone. Its main imaging camera may be taking some groundbreaking photos but it can only manage a resolution of two megapixels. The current iPhone offers eight. That’s what happens when you have to design a rover eight years before it actually [...]