General Election 2015: Decoded co-CEO Kathryn Parsons wants investment in the knowledge economy April 20, 2015 ELECTION COUNTDOWN: 17 DAYS TO GO Every day until the final week of the election campaign, we ask a business leader to say what policies would entice them to vote for a particular party. KATHRYN PARSONS: CO-CEO, DECODED There was sufficient investment in the knowledge economy. The UK’s digital economy is predicted to [...]
Money in your pocket? Here’s where the main parties stand on income tax April 19, 2015 The contents of voters’ pockets has always been a key motivating factor when it comes to deciding which party to place a cross next to. Few things encapsulate this kind of consumer politics more than the rate of income tax. The coalition has made great play of taking the lowest paid out of income tax [...]
Manifestos are pure symbolism: It’s the post-election horse trading that matters April 19, 2015 The saying that there are two things you should never see being made in public – policy and sausages – is somewhat apt at the moment. As the parties publish their manifestos, we really are approaching the finish line in the race to the door of No 10. But do these collections of documents actually [...]
With the election a dead heat, is a minority government now the most likely outcome? April 19, 2015 Charles Lewington, managing director of Hanover Communications, says Yes. The polls currently show the most likely outcome of the election is a deal between Labour and the SNP, both of which have ruled out a coalition with the other. The only party which could possibly provide enough seats to get one of the major parties [...]
Unfinished business: Serial entrepreneur Luke Johnson talks sentimentality, curves and the General Election April 19, 2015 It's a big wide world, and there’s a lot to be done. It’s important to have a sense of urgency.” This is business polymath Luke Johnson’s answer to why it is that he has quite so many business interests – his industriousness is astonishing. Johnson, who waded into the world of business after getting a [...]
General Election 2015: Labour’s Ed Balls refuses to rule out corporation tax rise April 19, 2015 Ed Balls has refused to rule out a rise in corporation tax if Labour wins the general election in three weeks’ time. The Labour shadow chancellor refused to rule out a further increase in corporation tax to the one per cent already pledged by the party when questioned on Sky News’ Murnaghan show. The current [...]
General Election 2015: One chart showing the most clichéd political party manifestos April 19, 2015 The Conservatives aren't performing spectacularly in the polls, but they're far ahead of rivals in terms of clichés. As we face one of the most unpredictable voting outcomes in living memory, voters can rely on a spew of clichés from the country's top politicians. They're currently busy travelling the length and breadth of Britain, on a quest to meet "hard working families" [...]
Nigel Farage, Nicola Sturgeon, Leanne Wood to appear in BBC election specials after Ed Miliband, David Cameron, and Nick Clegg get Question Time slots April 18, 2015 Nigel Farage is to be served up to a regional audiences as part of a several BBC specials ahead of the General Election. Farage will appear in a programme in England on 30 April, the same day Nicola Sturgeon, the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood will appear in [...]
Ed Miliband would reintroduce the 50p tax rate within weeks April 18, 2015 Ed Miliband would reintroduce the 50p tax rate within weeks if he wins the General Election. According to information gained by The Times, in addition to the change to the top income tax rate, Miliband will also demand more powers for Downing Street. These actions are among several included in a list of draft bills [...]
Is Labour weighing up a coalition with the Liberal Democrats? April 18, 2015 Labour party wonks have been scrutinising details of the Liberal Democrat manifesto, looking for common ground on which to broker a deal – if the General Election results in a hung parliament. The belief among some of Ed Miliband’s allies is that there is a significant overlap between the two parties’ policies, which would allow [...]