“Weak Links?”
In 1973 Stanford Professor Mark Granovetter’s “the strength of weak ties” argued that weak links, between people with different opinions, help new and unfamiliar ideas spread.
Sam Dumitriu, research director, The Entrepreneurs Network
One silver lining to Brexit for sceptical liberals like myself is that it’s an opportunity to have a more nuanced and intelligent debate on immigration. Wishful thinking? Perhaps, but since the referendum attitudes have shifted. Both Remainers and Leavers are more positive about the effect of migration on the UK.
Progress in the immigration debate depends on the public having access to all of the facts. But we at The Entrepreneurs Network noticed there was a gap in the debate. Too often the media focused on whether or not migrant workers took jobs or drove down wages. They neglected the job-creating impact of immigrant entrepreneurs entirely.
By Morgan Schondelmeier, head of development, Adam Smith Institute
A few years ago, the Adam Smith Institute – an economic policy think tank in Westminster – decided to adopt the moniker ‘Neoliberal’. Derided by some as emblematic of a corrupt, greedy, and destructive world order, ‘neoliberal’ has for many years been a term of disdain used by the left to describe those with whom they disagree. By reclaiming the term, proponents of neoliberalism feel able to change the narrative back to the principles which define our views; freedom, liberty, security, and compassion.
By Alex Pearmain, co-founder, One Fifty Consultancy
“Covfefe”. Even typos can structure a news cycle, when you’re a tweeting president. Such is the impact of digital tools on our political discourse, strategy and tactics, that the 2019 general election looks set to be the first principally digitally driven UK campaign.
This is against a backdrop of allegations of foreign interference, illegality and general mania about anything involving the word ‘data’. But how did we get here, and what can it point to about how we shape a better political future?
By Guy Corbet, Fourteen Forty
Just when you think there isn’t room in the world for another business index, the very smart people at communications agency Portland have created the Total Value Index.
It compares the contribution that individual British businesses (and sectors) make to our world, based on their simple proposition that “value = profit + purpose”.
Is it possible that Dany Cotton, the head of the London Fire Brigade, is so conceited and heartless that she really would do nothing differently if Grenfell played out again?
I don’t know, but I doubt it. It’s hard to believe that anyone could willingly be so crass.
Assuming the bill passes the Lords today, we’re set for a 12 December “people v parliament” election. Here’s a quick summary of a few of the current talking points.
Only 43 sleeps until Christmas (election)
After months of building expectations, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson has finally got the snap election he wanted to break the Brexit deadlock. Britain goes to the polls on 12 December, the first December election in nearly 100 years. The election bill is expected to undergo all stages in the House of Lords today. Assuming no peers try and derail it, the date will be confirmed this evening.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the prime minister, Boris Johnson, acted unlawfully in proroguing Parliament.
The ruling
The 11 Supreme Court justices were unanimous in their ruling this morning. Lady Hale, the president of the Supreme Court, said therefore that Parliament has effectively not been prorogued.
Boris has come in on a bold Brexit agenda
Winning with a significant majority of Conservative Party members, Boris is gearing up his party and the country up for a no-deal Brexit. The government is on a campaign footing and Tory HQ is being strengthened. All of which suggests Boris and the new cabinet are preparing for a potential general election in the Autumn.
“Weak Links?”
In 1973 Stanford Professor Mark Granovetter’s “the strength of weak ties” argued that weak links, between people with different opinions, help new and unfamiliar ideas spread.
