“John Oliver, already known as a vocal opponent of Brexit, has delivered a furious monologue attacking the British prime minister and key figures in the campaign for the UK to leave the EU. “The United Kingdom,” the British host of … Continue reading
“Ahead of the EU referendum, Laura Kuenssberg examines the economic costs and benefits of EU membership. She talks to politicians and business leaders on both sides of the debate in a bid to find out what leaving could mean for … Continue reading
For every £2 we send to Brussels, we get £1 back and it comes back with a tag on it on what we have to spend it on. Gisela Stuart, Labour MP and joint head of Vote Leave, speaking on … Continue reading
David Cameron’s recent “Corruption Summit” garnered a great deal of publicity for his alleged battle against international corruption and ‘war’ on aggressive tax avoidance. However, as well as the positive headlines, more astute commentators were at pains to point out … Continue reading
Barack Obama’s visit to Britain, brings with it plenty of chatter about the so-called “special relationship” between the US and the UK. Coming as Britain prepares for a referendum on European Union membership, the visit has already kicked off a … Continue reading
A month ago, ultra-conservative historian, Niall Ferguson, published an article in The Times entitled “Brexit’s happy morons don’t give a damn about the costs of leaving”. I thought that attacking so-called ‘Brexiteers’ was somewhat at odds with what I was … Continue reading
Since late January, a story about political party finance and spending in the 2015 UK election (and three by-elections) has been simmering. Now it seems to be boiling over. For brevity, it’s probably best to concentrate on the allegations related … Continue reading
As Jared Ficklin wrote here, the verdicts returned at the inquest into the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 completely vindicate the 27-year campaign for justice resolutely undertaken by the families of the 96 who died. The verdicts, which will surely have … Continue reading
David Cameron attempted to inject some passion into his mission for the UK to remain a member of the EU by making a “big, bold patriotic case” for membership. His speech is being read as a warning that Brexit poses … Continue reading
There’s a high price to be paid if Britain leaves the European Union, according to the UK’s Treasury forecasts. Leaving the EU would cost the average household £4,300 per year, it is suggested. But Chancellor George Osborne has not done … Continue reading
The Panama Papers leak sheds some light on the intricate ways in which the wealthy can exploit secretive offshore tax regimes. As well as charging minimal or no tax to residents and non-residents, the main characteristics of tax havens are … Continue reading
If the polls are to be believed, the outcome of the forthcoming EU referendum is finely balanced. For reasons that are apparently obvious to many, but which this commentator is wholly in the dark about both sides of the debate … Continue reading
With the Panama Papers exposé perhaps we can now say the fortress walls of offshore secrecy are finally cracking. Such havens allow corruption and tax avoidance to take place on a massive international scale by some of the richest and … Continue reading
Drawing on recent research about UK think tanks, austerity and social policy, Hartwig Pautz and Elke Heins examine the relationship between government and the world of ‘independent expertise’. Focusing on one example, the Centre for Social Justice’s influence over Conservative ministers’ social policies, they … Continue reading
For years, crusaders of the Eurosceptic cause have claimed that all the evils of the world will disappear once Britain leaves the European Union. British fishermen and women will be able to fish as much cod as they like and … Continue reading
I Am Incorrigible 