Champion of better capitalism
The NHS and care crisis gets more attention but a long term funding and reform plan is also badly needed in our justice system (see today’s FT). I fear that years of austerity have been reinforced by the government’s deliberate vandalising of the probation service … Continue readingOur justice system is in urgent need of reform
I am not surprised to read in yesterday’s Observer that, since the AA and the RSA were sold to Private Equity, service levels have declined and there is now a catalogue of examples of long waits for motorists with breakdowns. Ownership matters and car breakdowns … Continue readingCustomers suffer under Private Equity ownership
Full respect to George Freeman MP who is quoted as calling for a ‘messianic crusade to decentralise power’ in a Financial Times article this week. He is right. If government wants to tackle the real issue behind the talk of ‘taking back control’ it needs … Continue readingThe real issue behind the talk of ‘taking back control’
I am following the party conference system and trying to identify grown up current or past front bench politicians who seem to have a responsible approach and serious ideas for government. People who strike me as having some practical experience to put behind their words. … Continue readingLet’s back the grown ups!
Here is something for the Tories to consider at their conference this week. According to The Economist (September 15th, p11) only a third of Americans under 35 say that it is vital that they live in a democracy. The share who would welcome military … Continue readingSobering thought about democracy as the Tories gather
In Italy, the Minister of Finance is being threatened by his coalition partners with a ‘mega vendetta’ if his Treasury officials cannot find money from their spending promises. In Germany Mrs Merkel’s close supporter Volker Kauder has been defeated after 13 years as leader of … Continue readingWhatever happened to party unity?
To most people, capitalism would be a lot better if it allowed entrepreneurs to start businesses and make profits, but steered them towards thinking long term, protecting the planet, and valuing customers and employees and sharing rewards with them. In the USA and the … Continue readingExtractive capitalism is back – unintentionally encouraged by the left
Two weeks ago I praised John McDonnell for plans to spread share ownership. Now more details have emerged and I’ve changed my mind. When I was with Labour Business speaking at their conference fringe 2 years ago I recommended a requirement for LARGE LISTED companies … Continue readingLabour’s Employee Ownership Plan: not so inclusive after all
Interesting to read in the Financial Times that Coke’s motive for buying Costa was to give it access to its coffee supply chain. And what about this admission from their Asia-Pacific President John Murphy, ‘We have to continue to strengthen our core offering through innovation…But … Continue readingCoca Cola waking up and smelling the coffee
For some years I have argued that companies should follow the example of listed company Handelsbanken and set aside a proportion of their profits into an employee shareholding trust. More recently I suggested that top executives should only be permitted large bonuses or share awards … Continue readingCredit to Labour for their new thinking on wealth creation