“If size were the key to success, China would be wealthier than Hong Kong, Indonesia would be wealthier than Singapore, and the EU would be wealthier than Switzerland.”
The proportion of homes built by small firms has plummeted. But smaller builders, based locally, are more likely to develop schemes that complement the local area.
There is a suspicion that the Government wants to talk about other things – and a significant amount of attention is of course already being consumed by Brexit.
We are so preoccupied with Brexit and Putin that we may have missed the significance of the President’s latest sacking-and-replacement.
At a time when austerity continues, we need to be explain that we are not wasting taxpayers’ money on a grand delusion that we can create prosperity.
Opportunists will try to lay it all at the door of Brexit. But the truth is more complex – not least given rising wages and the knock-on effects of Trump’s tax cuts.
The clock is ticking on the Brexit negotiations and spreading confusion in this manner will only undermine the Prime Minister’s negotiating hand.
If we do, we could reverse at least some of the six per cent hit to GDP it has caused so far. If we don’t, we could continue to lose productivity growth of 0.2 per cent a year.
It’s often suggested that the Remain wing of the Cabinet wouldn’t wear such a choice. I doubt it.
The digital revolution throws up a legion of big policy questions – from the ethics of AI to stopping terrorism online. We can make a start by getting the facts right.
The brutal reality is that Britain needs the country the President governs – and so by extension needs him too.
It continues to clear the deficit, prepare for Brexit, and back our businesses with the support they need to boost productivity.
How will Corbynomics work in practice? And how much will it really cost?
Its poll rating is 40 per cent or so, the economy is growing, and an election isn’t due until 2022. A sense of perspective is essential – for all the Government’s weaknesses.
Our New Generation programme will be tasked with producing policies in areas that are of pressing concern to voters: tax, enterprise, housing, welfare.