We remember, Mr Cameron
I was asked to write a post for UKUncut on the new campaign on banks. This was it. “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting”. Bright Green readers were recently reminded of Milan Kundera’s famous quote. And how apt. Because more than anything else, this government is hoping that we [...]
RBS: Oil Bank of Scotland to Green Investment Bank?
As Richard Murphy has already pointed out, the FT has two bank related stories today – one saying that the Treasury hopes RBS will be privitised next year. The other says something that’s been rumour for a while – that the Treasury is opposing moves to make the promised Green Investment Bank a real bank [...]
The People’s Bank; a way out of the current crisis for Britain – and Ireland
By Rupert Read The Dail voted through Ireland’s Euro-bailout package. The Irish Greens wanted an election in January: they haven’t got it. But Cowen, the Irish PM, did say in November that; “It is my intention at the conclusion of the budgetary process, with the enactment of the necessary legislation in the New Year, to [...]
Why I superglued myself to the Royal Bank of Scotland
This article first appeared in The Scotsman on August 31st and is kindly cross-posted at the author’s request. Scotland is a country deeply associated with standing up for the underdog and challenging injustice. This is reflected in steps to become a Fairtrade nation, to build closer links with Malawi, to invest in renewable energy and [...]
Philippe Legrain at the Edinburgh Book Festival
A vision of a world fairer, safer, richer and greener. Thomas Friedman says the world is flat – Philippe Legrain doesn’t think so. What matters most to how you do in life is where you are born and who your parents are. Philippe’s envisioned world is one where the benefits and opportunities of the middle [...]
Why make RBS back small businesses, but not renewables?
There is much to write about yesterday’s budget, but I thought I would highlight just one paradox – one I genuinely don’t understand. Alistair Darling announced a £1bn fund for low carbon projects. This green investment bank is designed to provide the stimulus which will encourage other lenders to also back renewable energy projects and [...]
Why I’m not complaining (much) about Vice Chancellors’ pay
The annual story about university Vice Chancellors’ pay rises is in the papers again today. I have to admit that some of the stats are a little eye watering. The average VC now earns £194,000. There is, quite naturally, outcry about this from, well, nearly everywhere. At a time when Governments are threatening to cut [...]
« go back