On March 12, British living legend David Bowie released his first new album in almost ten years – “The Next Day”. The record has been met with a tremendous reception, both critically and commercially. Q Magazine crowned its release with a gold plated five star review. It entered the UK album chart at the number one position. Bowie’s career really is astonishing. The run of classic albums he released between … Read more »Why David Bowie is a Velvet Goldmine
Roamin’ in the Evergreen State
When I was growing up in Canterbury, Kent, a house in our street had the name plate “Dunroamin” hung up on the outside wall. I was only about 8 years old, and hadn’t come across the term before. I thought it was a place in Ireland. But of course it means a state of mind where one is all travelled out and quite happy just to stay put. After having … Read more »Roamin’ in the Evergreen State
Trade Partnerships: The simple power of good ideas
Last week, I argued that a successful Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would put millions of consumers on both sides in touch with millions of businesses on both sides and be a real shot in the arm for business and jobs. In that blog, I argued that a successful TTIP would benefit the US in terms of higher exports and more jobs. A valid follow up question is: “Was I … Read more »Trade Partnerships: The simple power of good ideas
Trade Partnerships – a stimulus everyone can agree on
My Ambassador had an op-ed in op-ed in USA Today last week on the case for the EU and the US striking a free trade deal. I thought I would develop some of the economic arguments underpinning the strong case he made. Economists often propound the benefits of free trade in terms of numbers, sometimes supported by graphs or textbook theories. But it’s helpful to be reminded of the real … Read more »Trade Partnerships – a stimulus everyone can agree on
Daylight Savings Time – the economics of economising on sleep
In the United States this weekend, the clocks will go forward one hour. At precisely 1.59:59 on Sunday, our clocks will wind forward a whole hour to 3am. We will have leapt forward into spring as the saying goes and observe Daylight Savings Time (DST). The mornings will become darker and the evenings lighter. In the UK, we also observe DST. But we do so a few weeks later than … Read more »Daylight Savings Time – the economics of economising on sleep
Financial Reform: The Long and Winding Road
Banks. Bankers. Financial Services. Bail-outs. LIBOR. Bonuses. You are probably a bit fed up of hearing all those terms. Haven’t we been talking about banks and the financial sector non-stop for five years? Isn’t this stuff meant to be boring Wouldn’t we rather be talking about Beyonce at the Superbowl instead? These issues are hugely important and, like it or not, we are going to have to continue talking about … Read more »Financial Reform: The Long and Winding Road
The Brits are back in Seattle
After three and a half years of leading the British Embassy in Washington’s trade policy and business affairs team, I’ve taken up a new assignment. Still in the US, happily, and a lot closer to the mountains. Still has “Washington” in the address. Still working on prosperity, trade and investment. But on the other side of the country. Yep – Washington State, the 42nd state of the Union. You could … Read more »The Brits are back in Seattle
Scotland – it never ceases to surprise me
I should confess that while I am not Scottish I would quite fancy being Scottish for a while. The Scots, like the Irish, are renowned for being people who love to live life to the fullest. They produce God’s finest water (Scottish whiskys are seeing their exports to the US and most others markets rocket up), have some of the finest golf courses, the finest Salmon and a rather delicious … Read more »Scotland – it never ceases to surprise me
Washington International Trade Association
I’ve just been given the huge privilege of becoming a board member of the Washington International Trade Association (WITA) , a well-respected non-profit, non-partisan DC-based organisation dedicated to robust discussions on international trade policy issues. I’ve been a member of WITA since my arrival here in July 2009, benefiting not just from its trade policy discussions with respected opinion formers and policy makers, and the opportunity for collaborative events between … Read more »Washington International Trade Association
Mountain West energy pragmatism
Every time I have the good fortune to venture outside the Beltway, I am amazed at the sheer amount of interesting and innovative technological and policy-related work going on around the US energy industry. A recent visit to Colorado did not disappoint. The state is blessed with an abundance of energy resources, both fossil and renewable, as well as a highly educated workforce and several prestigious national laboratories. But there’s … Read more »Mountain West energy pragmatism