Lessons from a U-Turn: How do you make decisions?

So, Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng have made their first big U-Turn.  After announcing with great fanfare that abolishing the 45p tax band was crucial to enabling economic growth, the chancellor has started the Conservative Party Conference by stating that this particular tax cut was in fact a distraction from the Government’s overall growth policy… Continue reading Lessons from a U-Turn: How do you make decisions?

Further reflections on Trussonomics

I’ve been reflecting a little more on the debate around the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement last Friday and what is now becoming referred to as “Trussonomics.”  You will remember that my assessment was that it was economically illiterate and politically stupid. Perhaps you thought that harsh. Perhaps not given the even stronger assertions from… Continue reading Further reflections on Trussonomics

“In this day and age?”

I’m increasingly seeing comments along the lines of “We shouldn’t be seeing or y … in this day and age.” Or “It is disgusting that in one of the richest G7 countries that we should be seeing x.” These statements at the moment relate specifically to the pressures that people are starting to face in… Continue reading “In this day and age?”

The Cost of Living Crisis: What does Liz Truss need to do?

Today, the United Kingdom gets a new Prime Minister. However we feel about her personally and the party she represents, our first responsibility as Christians is to pray for her and the government as well as for the leader of the opposition. Liz Truss comes into power with some pressing challenges to respond to. The… Continue reading The Cost of Living Crisis: What does Liz Truss need to do?

Why I don’t think partial nationalisation will solve the energy crisis

*This article is an attempt to look further at questions around the cost-of-living crisis. As we get into practical solutions, this does start to politicise things.  I don’t favour Christian leaders making party political pronouncements. However, public theology and ethics will involve some engagement with political application and there should be room for charitable disagreement.… Continue reading Why I don’t think partial nationalisation will solve the energy crisis

Boris: Who is responsible?

So, news is now breaking that Boris Johnson will step down as Prime Minister. As well as the leadership contest, the blame game now begins. Tory MPs are keen to pin the blame for the current mess on Boris Johnson himself. He in turn has attempted always to avoid taking personal responsibility, denying knowledge of… Continue reading Boris: Who is responsible?

Boris and a question of character

As I write, Boris Johnson is still clinging on to power. That could change quickly.  Prime Ministers are remembered as much by how the leave office as anything.  Gordon Brown will be remembered for eventually leaving with his two sons and a level of dignity left, David Cameron for humming a care free tune as… Continue reading Boris and a question of character

Champagne Legalism

This week, Dominic Raab stood in for Boris Johnson at Prime Ministers’ Questions whilst the PM was at the NATO summit. Given Raab’s reputation for putting his foot in his mouth, I assume his main job was to demonstrate exactly why Boris is still Prime Minister.  He didn’t disappoint. Convention meant that if the PM… Continue reading Champagne Legalism

What next for Boris?

Yesterday evening, Boris Johnson survived a “No Confidence” vote from his own MPs by 211 votes to 148. This meant that 41% of his own MPs declared no confidence in him. However, in fact, he fare worse than that.  Between 160-170 MPs are on the government payroll as ministers/aides.  It’s possible that some of these… Continue reading What next for Boris?

Resignation offers, integrity and grace

#Partygate and #Beergate continue to rumble on.  In latest developments, Labour leader Keir Starmer has said that he will resign if he is issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice fine for breeching covid regulations.  His supporters have suggested that this shows integrity and compares unfavourably with the way that the Prime Minister has refused to… Continue reading Resignation offers, integrity and grace