The City

Who does inflation work for?

Ronald Reagan warned us not to unleash inflation. But the Bank of England didn’t listen. It created vast amounts of money. Why? And who benefits?

When it all went wrong for America’s empire of debt

From the terrorists’ point of view, the 9/11 attack was so successful not just because it brought down the World Trade Center towers. The real achievement for them was in provoking US policymakers to strangle themselves.

The date on democracy’s death certificate

European governments are not dancing to the tune of voters. Someone else is pulling all the puppet strings. Or should I say “purse strings”?

How to pay for a war pandemic

The inflation of the 70s was a deliberate government policy. As was the inflation of 2021-2023. It’s how we pay for our wars and pandemic lockdowns.

Another election perspective

While most of us no doubt have an opinion or two regarding the upcoming election, and what it might mean for the country and for financial markets, we should all seek out other perspectives. Southbank’s Global Intelligence Network (GIN) is a good place to start.

Investors and politicians beware: the cycle of monetary mayhem is about to change course

History is a cycle of monetary systems. Should we trust the government, the central bank or the private sector with the right to issue money?

The feds’ only option is inflation

What if the Bank of England and Federal Reserve are no more reliable than the jefes at the Banco Central de la Republica Argentina?

Modern Monetary Theory is dead. Long live the Fiscal Dominatrix.

A new theory is spreading amongst the elites who control the levers of economic power. It will guide them to make some shocking policy decisions in coming years.

Inflation’s Fiscal Drag Queens and Bracket Creeps are picking your pockets

Politicians promise they won’t raise taxes. It makes me laugh. And then cry. Because I know there are at least four ways to increase taxation without increasing taxes.

How to beat the city without having to join it

If inflation is back with a vengeance, cash is a dangerous place to keep your savings. But investing is hard, time consuming and expensive. Right?

What lies beneath?

Stock markets have been rising and financial markets may appear calm on the surface but there is trouble brewing underneath. Interest rates may soon begin to rise again, which could possibly trigger a debt and currency crisis.

Labour’s plans for the OBR are an attack on democracy itself

Centralising judgement over the impact of budget policies in one place will merely enshrine one vision of economics. And the whole point of democracy is to allow different visions to compete

The poisoned chalice

As the electioneering begins it’s worth considering why Sunak called a snap election in the first place. Has something spooked him into action? Indeed, there are several prominent possibilities…

The election is a shootout in a hall of mirrors

Nothing is more embarrassing to democracy than an election campaign. This time, it’s like all the circuses have come to town at once. But is there something important hidden amongst all the entertainment?

How to foil the eco zealots before the power cuts

The ability of the individual to foil the state using high or low tech solutions is one of the few bright spots that will always be there for you, no matter how dystopian things get.

Don’t take the grid for granted

Its entirely normal to take certain things for granted. Few of these come closer in our everyday experience than flicking on a light or other electrical switch. Successful investors know better. Nothing should be taken for granted, including our electrical grid.

Japan is more than a warning for the West

It’s difficult to make people care about Japan. But that can change rather quickly. Here’s how it’ll happen for you…

What would blackouts do to UK politics?

One year ago, Bloomberg published the strangest article. It reported delightful news: “South Africa is ahead of its target for cutting emissions of greenhouse gases.” But how?

The immigration crisis is deliberate and was predictable

In January 2019, I made some startling predictions about immigration. They earned me more than the usual amount of ridicule. Today, I want to reveal what I wrote back then…

Is the energy transition leading to blackouts?

The energy transition is coming dangerously close to causing blackouts. But what happens if it does? That’s what I asked Nigel Farage…