Britain’s entrepreneurs can look forward with definite optimism to a better world outside the EU July 4, 2016 Peter Thiel, founder of two billion dollar companies (Palantir and Paypal) and early-stage investor in Facebook, argues that two questions determine your approach to life’s challenges. First, are you an optimist or a pessimist? Second, are you definite (a clear plan for the future) or indefinite (hedging your bets)? In sharp contrast to the focus [...]
Investors unimpressed by Obama and back Brexit despite stock market fears May 23, 2016 UK personal investors have been unimpressed by politicians in the run-up to the EU referendum and a majority say they will vote for a Brexit, new research has found. The 56 per cent backing for Leave – compared with a 39 per cent vote for Remain – comes despite a majority feeling that a Brexit would [...]
Queen’s Speech 2016: What to expect today, plus where to watch it May 18, 2016 From Brexit to Islamic extremism, prison reform and driverless cars, the Queen's Speech is expected to set out a whole raft of new measures from the government. The Queen's Speech is expected shortly after 11:30am, as the centrepiece of the State Opening of Parliament, a tradition that dates back to 1536. The proposals are expected [...]
What will Brexit mean for the City? June 27, 2016 Online protest-petitions aside, the people have spoken and the UK is now facing an exit from the European Union. What might this mean for the City, and Britain’s businesses more broadly? The short term We are already in the midst of extreme political uncertainty, and thus it is unsurprising to see panic and volatility in the [...]
Brexit: It’s early days, but UK business has been getting on with it July 15, 2016 It is less than three weeks since the British people voted to leave the EU. In that time, much of the media response has been verging on hysterical. The political establishment, City and even bookmakers simply did not see Leave coming. Figures who were top of their game a month ago have fallen on their swords: [...]
Peter Stringfellow on closing Angels, Theresa May, virtual reality clubs and setting up a lingerie range September 5, 2016 The floor of Peter Stringfellow’s office at Angels, his legendary Soho club, was strewn with packing boxes last week. In case anyone imagined his office to be an extension of the club – all leopard print, velvet and disco balls – it isn’t. It’s just a normal office. I visited him on Thursday; on Saturday, [...]
EU referendum: Britain Stronger in Europe and Vote Leave trade blows over Brexit jobs risk June 1, 2016 If the UK leaves the European Union and the single market, London could miss out on tens of thousands of extra jobs, pro-EU campaigners have claimed, as Remain campaigners today seek to put forward the case for membership from manufacturers. Analysis by the Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) for the official Britain Stronger in [...]
EU referendum: Ryanair extends “Fly Home to Vote Remain” sale in response to being accused of breaking election law and anti-bribery rules by Vote Leave May 20, 2016 Ryanair has doubled down on its offer of cheap flights back to the UK in order to encourage people to vote Remain after Vote Leave complained to the police about the campaign. Vote Leave, the designated Out campaign group, said that Ryanair's offer of cheap flights to expats who want to vote to remain in the [...]
EU referendum: 68 per cent of UK expats in Europe are worried about Brexit April 20, 2016 If the UK votes to leave the EU, there are likely to be a fair few uncertainties related to how the country proceeds in terms of its economy, foreign policy and diplomatic relations. But the prospect is also leading to anxiety for most British expats living in Europe. Over two thirds of British expats in Europe [...]
EU referendum: Britain Stronger in Europe and Vote Leave given official designation by the Electoral Commission ahead of Grassroots Out April 13, 2016 Britain Stronger in Europe and Vote Leave have been chosen as the official campaign groups by the Electoral Commission ahead of the referendum in June. Both groups will be entitled to broadcast campaign speeches, receive a publicly funded grant of up to £600,000 and send a leaflet to each household. A higher sending limit of £7m is imposed [...]