One hopes the overworked staff in the Office of Tax Simplification get overtime.  This year they have surely earned every … Continue reading “Tax simplification”

John Campbell’s biography of Margaret Thatcher refers to her taking a well-worn copy of Hayek’s Constitution of Liberty from her … Continue reading “Retrospective taxation”

It is in times like these that one appreciates the advice the Irishman gave the tourist seeking directions: ‘If I … Continue reading “Crisis in the eurozone”

In his speech this afternoon to the Liberal Democrats’ conference, the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, will assert: “ Capitalism kills … Continue reading “Cable on capitalism and competition”

It is distressing to witness yet another piece of financial chicanery by the British government, which now proposes to substitute … Continue reading “British government DEFAULT”

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer’s proposal to set up an independent Office for Budget Responsibility sounds like a good idea. … Continue reading “Truth in government”

My expectations of politicians, those “insidious and crafty animals”, are low. (Like Hayek, I find that over the course of … Continue reading “Spineless politicians still refuse to explain how they would tackle the deficit”

The Irish people voted “No” both to the EU’s Nice Treaty and to the Lisbon Treaty. That is, they voted … Continue reading “Why not an Irish reunion?”

Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on finance, says he wouldn’t increase total taxes to help deal with huge projected … Continue reading ““Fairer” taxes? But carry on spending!”

A proposal to merge three London boroughs – Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea – in order to … Continue reading “Jobs for the boys”

In his speech this afternoon to the Liberal Democrats’ conference, the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, will assert: “Capitalism kills competition”.  … Continue reading “Cable on capitalism and competition”

It is distressing to witness yet another piece of financial chicanery by the British government, which now proposes to substitute … Continue reading “British government DEFAULT”

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer’s proposal to set up an independent Office for Budget Responsibility sounds like a good idea. … Continue reading “Truth in government”

My expectations of politicians, those “insidious and crafty animals”, are low. (Like Hayek, I find that over the course of … Continue reading “Spineless politicians still refuse to explain how they would tackle the deficit”

Businesses are more regulated today than ever. But trends go on until they stop. With Arthur Seldon, I believe we … Continue reading “Let’s risk under-regulation!”

The latest news from Europe on the progress of the recession is both good and bad. The good news is … Continue reading “Latest recession news from Europe”

Vince Cable, the Liberal Democrat spokesman on finance, says he wouldn’t increase total taxes to help deal with huge projected … Continue reading ““Fairer” taxes? But carry on spending!”

If there is too much central government, maybe we shouldn’t regard being a member of parliament as a full-time job. … Continue reading “Reforming central government”

The British government, in common with many other governments, has embarked on a policy of “quantitative easing” [QE], also known … Continue reading “Inflation: can we trust the politicians?”

Anatole Kaletsky [The Times, April 6] says the G20 countries are right to borrow and spend even more than they … Continue reading “Après nous le déluge”

How is it that so many major, government-sponsored projects can lose so much money? As the title of this book … Continue reading “They Meant Well, Government Project Disasters”

In Unshackling Accountants , Professor D R Myddelton of Cranfield School of Management looks at the history of and the … Continue reading “Unshackling Accountants”