One should not be shy of admitting that any major short-term gains from our accession are primarily political. We already have trade agreements with nine of the current eleven members.
We all have an interest in the truth. Knowing how this all started won’t bring anyone back, but it could prove vital to preventing the next pandemic.
It may not be possible for the West to find one, but it’s in our interest to try – no less than to support war-torn, Putin-invaded Ukraine.
Ai provides an enormous opportunity for humanity. But Beijing sees it only as it’s latest tool for repression.
Two years ago, the security of Taiwan was a purely Chinese issue. But the invasion by Russia of Ukraine and China’s more aggressive posturing has changed that picture.
Secular stagnation, resource competition, and great power conflict loom. The era of growing interconnectivity and lowering prices is over; in a hostile new environment, self-sufficiency is everything.
Johnson’s deadline for ending petrol and diesel car sales was always over-optimistic. In our darkening international environment, it is an act of ludicrous folly.
In terms of fiscal policy, if the wider economic picture does not allow the debt to GDP ratio to fall, then the focus of the markets will be on the need to keep the public finances in shape.
“More than talk and language, actions are what matter, and we have taken robust action where necessary since I became Prime Minister.”
Sunak will hope he is spared a crisis, even if the electoral politics of it could be advantageous.
The visit by Xi Jinping to Moscow last week underscored the threat to democratic nations of expansionist tyrants who believe it their mission, even their right, to overwhelm and overcome their smaller neighbours.
How would we have felt if our benefactors had grown tired of the burden and attempted to force us into a negotiated settlement with Hitler? Thankfully, Britain had the resolve to continue and our allies remained true.
Unfortunately for the Prime Minister, he looks set to be left banging the drum for free trade just as the rest of the world is changing its tune.
Labour like to say we are the only major economy whose GDP has not recovered to prepandemic levels. But looking at GDP at constant prices in national currency the UK economy in 2022, according to the IMF, was one per cent bigger than in 2019.
Labour’s plans will make matters even worse. Blocking all new domestic oil and gas developments if they win power at the next election only plays into Vladimir Putin’s hands.