19 November 2015 The Art of Procuring By John Watson Try covering up a roof with not quite enough felt. Stretch it to cover the right edge, and the left edge becomes uncovered. Pull that side up, and a split opens down the middle. However many compromises you make, you always need just a little… Continue reading Issue 29: 2015 11 19: The Art of Procuring
Tag: George Osborne
Issue 29: 2015 11 19: On Yer Bikes
19 November 2015 On Yer Bikes by J R Thomas The reign of King Boris is coming to a close; the age of the comedians may be over. For sixteen years London’s Mayors have been rebels, men outside the mainstream, cheeky chappies popular with the public, if less so with their party leaders. It looks… Continue reading Issue 29: 2015 11 19: On Yer Bikes
Issue 28: 2015 11 12: Sea Green Incorruptible
12 November 2015 Sea Green Incorruptible by Don Urquhart Thomas Carlyle described Citoyen Robespierre as a sea green incorruptible and were he around today might similarly characterise Jeremy Corbyn. In recent PMQ’s, the leader of the opposition used up 9 of his 12 allotted questions making the same inquiry of David Cameron – “Are you… Continue reading Issue 28: 2015 11 12: Sea Green Incorruptible
Issue 27: 2015 11 05: The Light At The Top Of The Tree
05 November 2015 The Light At The Top Of The Tree By John Watson Most people, if they were asked about Lord Raglan, would start talking about sleeves; and indeed the style was invented for him by Aquascutum so that he could better use his sword in battle, his right arm having been amputated at… Continue reading Issue 27: 2015 11 05: The Light At The Top Of The Tree
Issue 25: 2015 10 22 Sic Transit George
22 October 2015 Sic Transit George by J.R.Thomas According to ancient legend, victorious Roman generals, whilst enjoying the triumphal procession through Rome to which they were entitled on their return from the battlefield, were accompanied by a slave who whispered constantly in the ear of the acclaimed one “Sic transit gloria, sic transit gloria” (all… Continue reading Issue 25: 2015 10 22 Sic Transit George
Issue 14: 2013 08 06 Financial week in brief
6 August 2015 Week in Brief: BUSINESS & THE CITY SOVEREIGN DEFAULT: The Greek government may have bought some time to sort its finances out, but the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, whose troubled finances were discussed here a few weeks ago, has failed to do so, and has gone into default. A US$58m loan repayment… Continue reading Issue 14: 2013 08 06 Financial week in brief
Issue 12: 2015 07 23: Manners Maketh Man
23 July 2015 Manners Maketh Man by J R Thomas It’s getting to be a very dangerous world, the modern financial industry (even if not like the appalling days of 1970’s Germany where several bankers were kidnapped and killed by the Baader-Meinhoff gang, the self-proclaimed Red Army Faction who terrorised the West German government and… Continue reading Issue 12: 2015 07 23: Manners Maketh Man
Issue 12: 2015 07 23: Week in Brief: Business & the City
23 July 2014 Week in Brief: BUSINESS & THE CITY GREEK BANKS: Greek financial affairs have suddenly been relegated from the headlines, following the rescue package agreed last week which has led to their banks reopening on Monday, and enabling the central bank to make the delinquent IMF payments to take the country back out… Continue reading Issue 12: 2015 07 23: Week in Brief: Business & the City
Issue 6: 2015 06 11: Promises, Promises
11 June 2015 Promises, Promises by J R Thomas Mr Cameron, now safely tucked up in Downing Street again, may in the deep watches of the night be contemplating how to deliver some of his pre-election promises. The latter stages of the election campaign edged towards an auction of increasingly rash hostages to fortune as… Continue reading Issue 6: 2015 06 11: Promises, Promises