Inside Politics

‘Inside Politics’ was the newsletter of Policy Exchange, the London think tank where I was Chief Economist. From 2007 to 2008, I wrote for it regularly on British politics and policy, from housing and planning to the public finances. My last piece for it was a farewell to Britain, written shortly before I left for Sydney.

The stone exterior of the Bank of England.
Inside Politics

The Economic Outlook

14 March 2008

Inside Politics – The Policy Exchange newsletter (London), 14 March 2008 Before the Budget, there was widespread agreement around what to expect.

HM Treasury’s offices in Whitehall.
Inside Politics

On a tight Budget

7 March 2008

Inside Politics – The Policy Exchange newsletter (London), 7 March 2008 The Budget comes at a time when there are dark clouds on the economic horizon – a contrast to …

Customers queuing outside Northern Rock in Brighton in 2007.
Inside Politics

The rock that became a millstone

22 February 2008

Inside Politics – The Policy Exchange newsletter (London), 22 February 2008 The formal nationalisation of Northern Rock is only the logical conclusion to the Government’s months-long involvement with the failed mortgage lender.

The front of the Bank of England in London.
Inside Politics

Lack of trust, not lack of cash

25 January 2008

Inside Politics – The Policy Exchange newsletter (London), 25 January 2008 There are lots of interpretations of this week’s events in the international stock markets and the Fed’s surprise decision to cut interest rates by 75 basis points.

Terraced homes in Pool, Cornwall.
Inside Politics

The Gracious Speech: Housing

11 November 2007

Inside Politics – The Policy Exchange newsletter (London), 11 November 2007 In the Queen stated in her speech that “legislation will be introduced on housing that will help create a fairer housing market and protect the most vulnerable.