Daily Archives: August 29, 2012

Clegg might be a pantomime act, but Cameron gave him the role – Telegraph

August 29, 2012 By in Austerity, Boris Johnson, Business Administration, Coalition, Ed Miliband, Euro Crisis, George Osborne, Growth, Politics Tags: , , , , , 4 Comments
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 05: (L-R) Prime Ministe...

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 05: (L-R) Prime Minister David Cameron and London Mayor Boris Johnson are seen following Johnson’s re-election as the Mayor of London on May 5, 2012 at City Hall, London, England. David Cameron today said he was ‘delighted’ by Boris Johnson’s mayoral victory and praised his ‘very strong’ campaign and vowed the pair would work together for the good of London. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

This is an excellent article from Iain Martin in the Telegraph. I just picked it up from a Twitter  micro blog from Benedict Brogan, the Deputy Editor at the Telegraph. It’s well worth a read. Check it out!

Clegg might be a pantomime act, but Cameron gave him the role – Telegraph

Let me give you a taister, with the following extract:

Privately, some other Tory MPs don’t rate their current leader as highly even as a mouse. “I’m afraid people sense he’s not got greatness stamped on him. And now he’s got Boris on his case,” says one. “There is no idea of where we are going,” says another. One young MP is even more bleak. “The guy is finished. Cameron doesn’t know what to do.”

For me, the question is:

If David Cameron is finished, just how long can he carry on?

It’s a bit like Tony Blair announcing that he’s not running for another term – suddenly, the power evaporates in a puff!

Surely, Boris Johnson, as a full-blown Tory PM , would attract some serious sovereign wealth inward investment? After all,  it would appear that Boris hasn’t seriously blotted his copy book like his fellow ex-Etonian, David Cameron. Also I suppose that Boris’ London Olympics halo won’t last for ever?

What do you think?

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Aviation industry and big-willy politics.. Simon Jenkins – The Guardian

August 29, 2012 By in Austerity, Business Administration, Coalition, David Cameron, Politics Tags: , , 5 Comments
Politics

Politics (Photo credit: Lst1984)

This is a thoughtful article from Simon Jenkins, the Political Editor at the Guardian. The article shows us the murkier side of aviation politics and lobbying. Check it out!

Yeo’s runway

politics

politics (Photo credit: Asoka G M)

 is big-willy politics, and that is the most dangerous politics of all | Simon Jenkins | Comment is free | The Guardian.

The point that the article missed is to consider the agenda for the Coalition Government’s policy paper which is scheduled for release later in the year. In my view, the UK’s airline industry is riddled with inefficiency, and the current regulation of airports provides a major opportunity for improvement. Indeed, the challenge extends to all regulated industries, a point picked up recently by Conservative MP, John Redwood in his blog.

Personally, I struggle with Simon Jenkins argument favoring stimulating consumption rather than investment. Most economists argue in favor of the multiplier effect from stimulating investment which gives more “bangs for your buck” of stimulus. Some open public questions that come to mind are:

  1. Why are UK airports so bad when compared to other major airports throughout the World?
  2. What are the real constraints on improving effectiveness?
  3. How do UK airports compare to other major airports in terms of key metrics, like:
  • Revenues, passenger numbers, revenue mix and relative profitability from segments
  • Costs
  • Investment
  • Customer  service
  • Throughput effectiveness
  • Staff flexibility
  • Space utilization
  • Safety
  • Security
  • Outsourcing etc.?

What do you think?

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