Introduction Prof David McWilliams is an Irish economist, broadcaster and author and has recently launched a new podcast. McWilliams is ranked as one of the World’s most influential economists according to rise.global. The podcast is not wholly about Ireland and diverse topics are discussed. What is interesting is that McWilliams is very much on the… Read more
Category:
Brexit
About the decision, background and process of the UK leaving the European Union.
Sticking to Neoliberaslism
I see Simon Wren Lewis is puttting his oar in in support of James Meadway – in the sense that he is supporting his Fiscal Credibility Rule (FCR). This same article is also, by the way, published in the New Statesman. Since Simon Wren Lewis (together with Jonathan Portes – both former Treasury Civil Servants)… Read more
Three Years and counting for our English Heritage
The Brexit breaker?
I’ve long considered that the weak point in so called Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) is how exports and imports are considered. Of course, in the UK, we must realise that as a deficit (as in trade deficit) nation we need foreign investment. While Chris Williamson MP has a tendency to speak truth unto power and… Read more
The UK and the Fragile States Index
Introduction The UK has not been doing very well over the past few years and feels a far more divided and fragile society. As someone who believes not only that Brexit is a major mistake, but that the execution of the policy by HMG has been strategically inept, it is difficult to feel optimistic. Gut… Read more
Eaten for lunch – and probably dinner…
And what is just as important – because the NHS is almost definitely the largest drug purchaser in the world, it sets a yardstick for worldwide prices – and so the (American) drug manufacturers are going to just love any reduction in the power of the NHS…. Read more
At least one Tory gets why the WTO and zero tariff conditions would be disastrous
At least one Tory leadership candidate understands No Deal would be a disaster for all our futures… Good on you @RoryStewartUK pic.twitter.com/QQpEBHnysn — Our Future, Our Choice (@OFOCBrexit) May 30, 2019 What he doesn’t mention in that under WTO rules, having instituted zero tariffs, even if food might, initially, be cheaper to import it is… Read more
Lessons from the European parliament election – a Scottish border?
Britain The 2019 European Parliament election results for Britain are shown in Fig. 1. As Richard Murphy discusses in The false narrative of Brexit Party success, this superficially looks a spectacular win for the Brexit party, but essentially they have cannabalised the UKIP seats and added five more. All but one of these have… Read more
Either Britain’s word is its bond or impoverished chaos beckons…
I see that the Professor of Economic History at All Souls College, Oxford, Kevin O’Rourke, has pointed out that under the extension agreement published by the EU under “LEGAL ACTS: EUROPEAN COUNCIL DECISION taken in agreement with the United Kingdom extending the period under Article 50(3)TEU” In item (12) This extension excludes any re–opening of… Read more
European Tactical Voting Advice
In case any readers have not subscribed, the following is the advice contained in an email from ‘Remain Voter‘ for tactical voting in order to ensure the best opportunity for additional winning remain candidates in every UK Euro constituency: Here is your voting recommendation for Thursday’s EU Election vote. First, 3 things 1 – Get… Read more