Champion of better capitalism
Nadhim Zahawi’s dismissal from the government represents a dismal ending to a great story of an exile made good. His father escaped Iraq after displeasing Saddam Hussein and Nadhim Zahawi did not speak any English when he arrived in the UK in 1978 at the … Continue readingNadhim and Ram – two tales about fairness
‘Which company do you most admire?’ I like to ask this question if I am at a dinner party and the conversation gets boring. Some people immediately choose big companies which are household names. Larger companies I have heard mentioned recently include Patagonia, Proctor and … Continue readingWhich company do you most admire?
When I was 11 years old my grandmother gave me a book token for Christmas and I spent it on two paperback biographies. One was about the racing driver, Graham Hill. The other was about Harold Wilson, Labour’s recently elected Prime Minister. To many Labour … Continue readingLabour and the 21st Century Economy – a 12 point plan for building a better capitalism.
‘There’s an algorithm here, tracking a human worker. Do you not see this as a problem?’ Darren Jones, MP, chair of the Employment Select Committee in the UK’s House of Commons, was cross-examining Amazon’s European Head of Public Policy. The latter had initially suggested that … Continue readingWhat does respect for employees mean in the age of the algorithm?
‘There’s an algorithm here, tracking a human worker. Do you not see this as a problem?’ Darren Jones, MP, chair of the Employment Select Committee in the UK’s House of Commons, was cross-examining Amazon’s European Head of Public Policy. The latter had initially suggested that … Continue readingWhat does respect for employees mean in the age of the algorithm?
The 2025 Autumn Statement – a Naïve Proposal Madam Speaker Today I wish to present the House with an entirely new kind of Autumn Statement. This comes after extensive dialogue with all political parties, and it follows a major consultation with stakeholders of all sorts. … Continue readingWhat if the chancellor were an anthropist?
‘A great garden is a symphony’ Thus spoke Tim Smit yesterday as – for the first time – The Eden Project closed its doors to allow the Anthropy conference to open. I love it at a symphony concert when the music stops and all you … Continue readingOne day of Anthropy
Recently, Kate Raworth the creator of Doughnut Economics, asked her twitter followers how she might better describe the flaws in prevailing orthodoxy about economic growth. In reply, I suggested that she might use the imagery of the harvest to better explain economics. Several readers got … Continue readingHarvest Economics – sentimental throwback or idea whose time has come?
My answer to Kate Raworth’s Question Last week I woke early with a strange dream still vivid in my memory. I had a collection of donuts I was calling out to family and friends and then throwing a donut their way. The only explanation I … Continue readingWhat do we mean by growth and why do we want it?
‘Learn how to see. Realise that everything connects to everything else’ – Leonardo da Vinci ‘Why do politicians fail so miserably when it comes to systemic thinking?’, I was asked by a friend who had just read my comments on the Chancellor’s Growth Plans. My … Continue readingEducation should broaden minds. Too often we are doing the opposite.