John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 23/07/2008
The Parliamentary recess is a symbol and a symptom of the overmanned and under achieving public sector. Some of my Labour colleagues will tell you that MPs have to work very hard in the recess – they have to catch up with all the [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 22/07/2008
John Redwood recently took part in Total Politics magazine’s “Daily Politico”. A transcript of the questions, and of John’s replies, follows: Why did you get involved in the political world? I was fed up with so many things working badly in the UK. I wanted to privatise the inefficient nationalised industries and create wider ownership. When [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 22/07/2008
Whilst the politicians in the USA are thinking of legislating to stop speculators in commodities, and MPs in the UK are busily enquiring into whether there has been speculation in commodity markets or not, the real world has moved on apace. The share prices of commodity producers are indicating falls in energy and [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 22/07/2008
It was music to my ears to hear Nissan’s revision today of their position that if the UK did not join the Euro they would invest elsewhere. They made a clear commitment to invest in Sunderland to produce their next new European vehicle there. When Nissan made that foolish comment it was damaging to those of [...]
Re-cycle of Life (Free subscription) | 21/07/2008
One of the golden rules of speech making in foreign countries must surely be - don't try to speak the lingo. Footage of John Redwood miming the Welsh national anthem, which still haunts him to this day, should serve as a warning to all politicians that unless you are sure it is best not to go there. But Gordon Brown ignored this rule and did his best to speak Hebrew during his speech to the Israeli...
DealBook (Free subscription) | 21/07/2008
Evercore Partners, the New York-based investment banking boutique, has agreed to buy 50 percent of Pan-Asset Capital Management, the British fund manager founded by former Tory cabinet minister John Redwood. Mr. Redwood and his partners set up the firm earlier this year and as of June, had $150 million in assets under management, according to The [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 21/07/2008
John Redwood today welcomed the Government’s announcement that Wokingham Borough Council and West Berkshire Council are to receive additional funding to help develop and maintain their flood defences. The Department for Communities and Local Government has allocated £30.6 million through its Restoration Fund to help local authorities affected by the floods of June and July 2007. [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 21/07/2008
Today two pieces of news are juxtaposed which should make supporters of democracy pause for thought. In Zimbabwe we are told there is a chance that the dictator who lost the election [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 20/07/2008
During this second cold and wet summer in succession it is good to enjoy the occasional day of warm sunshine, and remember wistfully past summers which were so much hotter. At least I can blog more, because week-end games of cricket are being cancelled all too regularly owing to rain and bad light! [...]
RecessMonkey (Free subscription) | 19/07/2008
James Goldsmith once said that when a man marries his mistress, he creates a vacancy. So the vacancy to become John Redwood’s new secretary should carry a significant health warning! As you may recall, the Vulcan left his wife Gail for his secretary, former ‘model’ Nikki Page - a close friend of Amanda Platell - who in [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 19/07/2008
The Conservative Policy Review warned that the removal of powers from the Bank of England could make it more likely a bank went under. It also pointed out that the fiscal rules were well and truly broken a year ago and suggested ways to remedy them: 2.1. Making the Bank of England Independent The Chancellor’s early decision [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 19/07/2008
There was one really encouraging thing in the Chancellor’s remarks to the Times. He thinks oil prices will remain high. As he’s been wrong on practically everything else, that is very encouraging! It is possible the big falls in the oil price this week will trigger further declines and some unwinding of the substantial “investment” [...]
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 19/07/2008
Yesterday the BBC did move from ignoring the idea of cutting public spending, to mentioning it in pejorative terms. At the same time they started pushing out the government propoganda that the UK exceeding the 40% limit on government borrowing should be viewed alongside Italy where government [...]
Enough is Enough (Free subscription) | 18/07/2008
Another excellent solution from John Redwood. Halve interest rates. Cut out waste and undesirable public spending. Sell off public sector assets. Amen!
John Redwood's Diary (Free subscription) | 18/07/2008
Halve interest rates. Cut out waste and undesirable public spending. Sell some public sector assets to raise cash. The government should do all three if it is serious about preventing recession or recovering from the downturn. [...]
