Matthew Sinclair: We need to convince our friends in Europe that we’re not abandoning them
They should be given some things that are genuinely awkward for us, and have their existential concerns addressed.
Matthew Sinclair: No 0.7 per cent target. The budget kept at current levels. Go for humanitarian help. A compromise on international aid.
I think a deal on development is actually possible. The two sides are not as far apart as they often seem.
Matthew Sinclair: The election result shows First Past The Post is working precisely as intended
Under our system, coalitions are effectively agreed within parties before the election. Under PR, the Government’s programme is stitched up after voters have had their say.
Matthew Sinclair: To get devolution right, we must work it out now – not in a post-election rush
Devolution is an opportunity to make government better – but only if it is done properly and fairly.
Matthew Sinclair: “The Policy” is a Terrible Idea
Lord Saatchi’s scheme fails the Thatcher Test – because it abandons the principle that the tax system should be as neutral as possible between different businesses.
Matthew Sinclair: Internal party democracy is the best response to UKIP’s rise – not abolishing First Past the Post
Primaries would mean people could fight for their views within their party, rather than leaving to form another.
Matthew Sinclair: Can we really afford to miss out on the opportunities offered by shale gas?
In North Dakota, this new energy source has driven vast growth across the economy. We should want the same for Britain.
Matthew Sinclair: Why IDS is right to make welfare claimaints work for the dole
The results could be remarkable: savings for taxpayers; opportunities for the unemployed; and a benefits system that people can trust again.
Matthew Sinclair: Dismal Durban
By Matthew Sinclair Over the weekend, the major UNFCCC COP17 in Durban concluded. Climate economist Richard Tol has set out… Read more »
Re: The Government is stealing the property of ex-public sector workers
Andrew Lilico argues that the decision to uprate pensions in line with CPI instead of RPI constitutes seizing the property… Read more »
Matthew Sinclair: We can’t judge Israel on standards few Western countries would match
By Matthew Sinclair I worry that Mohammed Amin has fallen into a common trap with his article about how Israel treats… Read more »
Matthew Sinclair: George Osborne can’t let energy intensive industry down at the Autumn Statement
Earlier this week, over five hundred workers at the Lynemouth aluminium smelter found out that they were losing their jobs…. Read more »
Matthew Sinclair: Taxes on motorists are squeezing the towns, suburbs and rural Britain
Politicians have often called Fuel Duty a green tax when they are trying to sell hikes but, when pressed, the… Read more »
Matthew Sinclair: DIY Tax Transparency
By Matthew Sinclair of The TaxPayers' Alliance. The process of really opening up the public sector started under Labour with… Read more »