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February 2020

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Welcome to the IEA Weekend Newsletter!


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* Do you wheely want to hurt me?
* Platforms for debate
* i on the media
* Meantime, in Greenwich
* You’re invited!
* Calling all teachers

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Do you wheely want to hurt me?
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From road humps and cycle lanes to speed cameras and taxes, motorists are used to being pushed around by the government.

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So perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised that the Prime Minister has decided to bring forward the ban on new sales of petrol, diesel and low-emission hybrids from 2040 to 2035.

Of course, most of us would like to breathe better air, but is a top-down ban the best way to go about it?

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The IEA’s Head of Transport Dr Richard Wellings warned that the plans could “force poorer motorists off the road” and that the government should not pick winners and losers in the industry – something politicians are “notoriously bad at”.

Richard’s comments were quoted in the Telegraph ([link removed]) and The Sun ([link removed]) and IEA Digital Manager Darren Grimes produced and featured in a video for social media on the subject, which you can watch here ([link removed]) .

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The topic is also the subject of this week’s IEA podcast ([link removed]) , in which Richard Wellings argues that the state has a terrible record of telling us what to drive - pointing out that it’s only a few years since the government used tax policy to encourage us to buy poisonous diesel motors.

You can subscribe to our podcasts on Apple Podcasts ([link removed]) , Spotify ([link removed]) and Podbean ([link removed]) .

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And IEA Head of Communications Emma Revell gave her steer on the topic for The Telegraph ([link removed]) .


** Platforms for debate
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This week, the IEA’s Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz spoke at the latest Conservative Economic Quarterly Lecture Series in Bratislava, Slovakia, about his book ‘Socialism: The failed that never dies’. ([link removed])

You can watch the lecture here ([link removed]) and the Q&A here ([link removed]) .

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Kristian was also interviewed by two Slovakian publications, Trend.Sk ([link removed]) and Postoj ([link removed]) .

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His book is our most downloaded publication of the decade. Read it for free here ([link removed]) .

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Meanwhile, Alex Hammond, Policy Adviser to the IEA Director General, took part in a careers panel event at University College London, where he spoke to students on how to start a career in policy and foreign affairs.

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Media Manager Emily Carver spoke on a panel at Essex University to debate whether we need to ‘overthrow capitalism’ to save the planet.

Emily argued that under any economic system there will always be trade offs between material comfort and environmental protection.

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And, the IEA's Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon and the Director of Epicentre Adam Bartha presented the results of the Nanny State Index ([link removed]) at the Smart Regulation Conference earlier this week.

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The conference took place in the Representation of the European Commission in Madrid, hosted by several Spanish free-market think tanks.

As European governments keep on expanding the regulatory state, our lifestyle unit ([link removed]) ensures that individual liberties and consumer choice remain an important voice in the discussion.’


** i on the Media
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Brexit boost… An analysis from IEA Economics Fellow, Julian Jessop, was featured on the front page of Friday’s Daily Telegraph Business ([link removed]) section.

Julian estimated the government’s post-Brexit trade plans would save Britain’s households £300 a year, a total of £8.3bn, based on tariff cuts reducing bills by about 1 percent.

He added that “the impact could increase over time as competition grows and consumers switch to cheaper suppliers.

Common ground… With the UK and the EU having set out their opening positions for the next stage of negotiations, Julian also wrote an article for CapX ([link removed]) on the chances of doing a good deal.

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He argued that “there’s enough common ground – and shared economic interests – to take an optimistic view”.

Cheque mates… Mark Littlewood, the IEA’s Director General, appeared on CGTN to discuss the UK’s trade policy post-Brexit.

You can watch a clip here ([link removed]) .

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Mark
argued that the UK must pursue free trade in all directions, “like playing multi-dimensional chess”.

Trading places.. Commenting on the Prime Minister's speech on Monday, IEA Economics Fellow Shanker Singham's comments were quoted in The Sun ([link removed]) .

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Foul play? IEA Head of Communications Emma Revell took part in a City AM ([link removed]) debate on whether some conversation topics (such as football) should be off-limits to keep workplaces inclusive.

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Emma was firmly in the ‘No’ camp, arguing that workplaces need casual conversations in order to create cohesion and familiarity across large teams - and making certain topics off-limits would make work a less friendly place.

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Bricks and mortar... Emma also wrote a piece for CapX ([link removed]) , in which she argued that the government's new programme to give 30% discounts to first-time buyers will do nothing to solve the housing crisis and may in fact make it worse.

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Extra, extra… Our Media Manager Emily Carver joined James Whale’s Brexit Special on talkRadio and appeared on his 'Break the News' panel, while Emma reviewed the week’s top stories on Sky News.

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** Meantime, in Greenwich...
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Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to the stage at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich this week to set out his plans for a trade deal with the EU.

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In his address, the PM stressed the fundamental importance of free trade. But the EU has so far stuck to its guns, linking market access with so-called Level Playing Field obligations.

So what are the chances of the UK and the EU reaching a free trade agreement?

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On our blog this week, IEA Economics Fellow Shanker Singham examines the various obstacles that both parties will need to overcome on the way to achieving such a deal.
Read his post here ([link removed]) .

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** You're invited!
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In Conversation with Ted Malloch

On 26th February, 6-8pm, the IEA Book Club ([link removed]) will be hosting Ted Malloch, co-author of “Trumps World: GEO DEUS” to speak to us about his latest book. The discussion will be chaired by the IEA’s Director General Mark Littlewood.

The book takes you inside Trump’s presidency – examining his populist outlook and his approach to such matters as foreign affairs. It seeks to identify his primary motivations, and how they influence his political thinking his economic model, and more.

If you would like to know more about the IEA Book Club, and attend the event, please email [email protected]

In conversation with John Humphrys

Former BBC veteran John Humphrys will be our special guest for a forthcoming IEA Book Club event.

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John – who hosted Radio 4’s Today programme from 1987 until last year – will join us to discuss his fascinating memoir, A Day Like Today, in which he looks back at his remarkable career, reflects on the politicians he interrogated and weighs in on the role of the BBC.

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The event will take place from 6 to 8pm on Monday, 9th March here at the IEA and places are sure to be in much demand. If you would like to attend please email [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

You can also find out all about the IEA Book Club ([link removed]) – which brings you year-round invites to exclusive events with top authors here.

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** Calling all teachers

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How best to measure an economy’s success?

The IEA is to host two upcoming events for teachers ([link removed]) , examining the ways we can measure economic success - including GDP, growth, productivity and inequality.

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Aimed at teachers of economics and related topics at A-Level/IB/Scottish Higher, the events will include talks from IEA Economics Fellow Julian Jessop and our Head of Education Dr Stephen Davies.

There are two dates and locations available:

12th February, 09:45 - 14:30 (London)

Register here ([link removed]) .

10th March, 09:45 - 14:30 (University of Buckingham)

Register here ([link removed]) .

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If you’d like to reserve a place, follow the links above or email Ralph Buckle at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . Please also include the name of the school you teach at.

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