One message resonates across the globe: London is still one-of-a-kind for finance August 12, 2019 As people across the City head off on their travels over the summer holidays, there is no better time to reflect on the exciting opportunities for the UK across the globe as our future trading relationship comes into sharp focus. I have already been fortunate enough in my role as the 691st lord mayor of [...]
Why Britain needs a minister for AI August 8, 2019 With the nation in a state of economic and political uncertainty, Britain’s newly appointed Prime Minister looks to technology to rejuvenate and refocus the country. He announces “a major national effort to bring advanced technology and new processes into industry”, launching the government’s first ministry of technology. Tech experts across the country rejoice as policymakers [...]
Our collaboration with Manchester and Leeds will unlock the UK’s full potential July 29, 2019 What do Channel 4, Amazon, TalkTalk, Boohoo, and Autotrader have in common? The answer is that they have all announced that they are creating jobs in the Manchester and Leeds regions. Last week, I visited these two cities with a growing global reputation. Like the City of London, Manchester and Leeds both host strong financial [...]
Enough buffoonery, Boris: it’s time for you to step up July 26, 2019 They say a week is a long time in politics. By that measure, this one has been longer than most. We’ve seen Theresa May’s departure from Downing Street (headed for Lords, it seems, and most likely a glass or two of chilled Pinot Grigio) and the installation of Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson as prime [...]
Churchill was the leader that Britain needed at the time – could Boris be the same? July 25, 2019 The new Prime Minister had never been short of confidence about his own abilities. On the day of his ascension to the highest office in the land, he wrote “I felt as though I were walking with destiny and that all my past life had been a preparation for this hour and for this trial”. [...]
Why Taiwan thinks that freedom is contagious July 19, 2019 The grand Renaissance style building feels like an embassy, but it isn’t. David Lin talks like an ambassador, but he isn’t. His official title is Representative, and 50 Grosvenor Gardens is Taiwan’s Representative Office in the UK. Taiwan has its own democratic system, currency and military but its official name remains the Republic of China [...]
The Asian giant has awoken – now it’s up to the City to seize the opportunities July 15, 2019 Asia now represents nearly half the world’s GDP and most of global growth.
Tom Watson and Sadiq Khan decry Labour ‘antisemitism’ after Panorama probe July 11, 2019 Prominent Labour figures were left aghast last night after a BBC investigation claimed people at the top of the party had minimised complaints of antisemitisim against its members. Deputy leader Tom Watson and London mayor Sadiq Khan were among those who spoke out after the allegations, which implicated general secretary Jennie Formby and communications director [...]
Why the Square Mile must break its silence on China June 17, 2019 If timing is everything, London’s stock exchange tie-up with China has been a disaster from the start. It is now four years since the plan was first revealed under the Sino-philic leadership of David Cameron and his chancellor George Osborne. Read more: London-Shanghai Stock Connect finally launches Yet the summer of 2015 also brought a [...]
Tory leadership race: Matt Hancock backs Boris Johnson June 17, 2019 Health secretary Matt Hancock today threw his support behind Tory leadership race frontrunner Boris Johnson to become the country’s next Prime Minister. Hancock quit the Conservative leadership contest last week. He has now opted to support the favourite, Johnson, despite ruling out a no-deal Brexit in his own campaign. Read more: ‘A long way to [...]