I’m a social democrat. My political hero was Denis Healey. So why am I even thinking about voting for Jeremy Corbyn?
Category: Blog
The free-market eats itself
Pfizer’s putative takeover of British pharma giant Astra Zeneca exposes yet another intellectual paradox of free market economics. Left to their own devices, firms will always try… Read more “The free-market eats itself”
Machiavelli and the Half-Blood Prince
I’ve just caught up with Alan Yentob’s BBC documentary on Machiavelli and The Prince, broadcast (I think) around Christmas. Old Nick is going through something of a… Read more “Machiavelli and the Half-Blood Prince”
A new Bambi or a new Speedy at the Matignon?
Manuel Valls, France’s new prime minister, is often compared to Tony Blair. He even describes himself, without apparent irony, as “Blairiste”. Surprisingly, this hasn’t done him much… Read more “A new Bambi or a new Speedy at the Matignon?”
Is France being let down?
Is France going into a deflationary spiral? Some economists — a minority, admittedly, but a growing one — fear it might be. If so, the consequences for… Read more “Is France being let down?”
Thumbs up for the real digital revolution
Saint Denis was beheaded on the hill looming over northern Paris now known as Montmartre. The legend is that he picked up his own head and carried… Read more “Thumbs up for the real digital revolution”
Forgive, but don’t forget
This is an excerpt.
Stopping councils from building houses hurts us all
This graph from Monday’s Guardian tells you most of what you need to know about the housing crisis in the UK. It tells a simple but very… Read more “Stopping councils from building houses hurts us all”
Mission accomplished, George?
Osborne’s recovery is just like Darling’s – only slower, weaker and later. George Osborne’s crowing over the economic recovery reminded me of George W Bush, strutting around… Read more “Mission accomplished, George?”
The game has changed
Do you ever think, looking at the British political scene, that all possible results of the next election just feel wrong? That no one deserves to win?… Read more “The game has changed”