Is there a vaccine against reality?

[link removed]

In this e-bulletin:
* Closing thoughts
* What actually happened this year?
* A thank you




** BUT FIRST...
------------------------------------------------------------

Lockdown is so depressing: I thought I’d fill my time by signing up for a course on ‘Dealing with Depression’ but even that was cancelled. Though actually, 2020 hasn’t been all bad. The nation’s gaiety was enhanced by Brexit on 1 January, Trump beating the impeachment rap in February, the National Trust pirouetting on Churchill, one Parasite winning the Oscars and another two leaving the royal family. Brits also responded cheerfully to China’s 212% tariff on Aussie wine by drinking record amounts during lockdown. (Hopefully it goes down well with Brussels sprouts, since this year’s crop is apparently bigger than ever. Not that I like Brussels much.)

‘Pandemic’ is officially the Word of the Year for 2020, but ‘pandaemonium’ might be a better description of how the UK's beloved healthcare quangos have handled things. Like Public Health England planning to ‘command and control’ virus testing before it became obvious they couldn’t command and control their way out of a face mask.

Ministers have had a busy year. As for Liz Truss, if it’s Friday it must be Singapore’s turn for a trade deal. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has been active too, stirring up large amounts of bloody-mindedness and apathy. And most of the rest of the Cabinet have been diligently trying to remind us who on earth they are and why we should be interested.

Meanwhile, Birmingham unveiled new street names such as ‘Diversity Grove’ and ‘Equality Road’, though there was no mention of ‘Hard Work Hill’ or ‘Courage Crescent’ or ’Self-Help Square’ or any other virtues that might help us out of this mess. (Still, as those bluestocking teachers used to say to the girls, ‘Posture. Posture. Posture.’) And the Royal Society figures we could cut carbon emissions and save the planet if we only stopped streaming music videos in HD. (Which sage advice proves that light travels faster than sound: scientists always appear clever until you hear what they’re saying.)

But I digress..


** A Year in Review

------------------------------------------------------------


** 2020 has been quite the year for all of us. So much has happened even if it feels like we've been stuck in a time warp. I wouldn’t blame you if you missed something we did or forgot entirely, so I thought we’d take the time to give you a rundown of our highlights. Stick with us...
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]

Hong Kong: In May, the Government announced they would extend visa rights to all British Nationals (Overseas) and their dependents. Following aggression from China and an authoritarian national security law, the Government ensured that BN(O) passport holders will gain residency rights and work rights in the UK, providing a lifeline for millions of oppressed people. The ASI has strongly recommended such support, including in a 2019 paper, Doing our Duty by Hong Kong ([link removed]) , and a 1989 call ([link removed]) for residency rights for Hong Kongers.

Testing: We were one of the earliest critics of the Government’s overly-centralised approach to Covid-19 testing. Our rapid response paper on testing, Testing Times: the urgent need to decentralise Covid-19 diagnostic testing in the UK ([link removed]) , published in the first days of April, outlined how the UK had, very early on, fallen to the bottom of the international league table for testing. We noted that the only way the government could meet the needs of the country would be to decentralise testing and allow private labs, universities, and charities to assist in testing. Our report made it into all the papers and onto the desks of policy makers and shapers. Eventually, Public Health England and the government heeded our warnings and opened up testing to private actors. This would be considered a turning point in the UK’s approach to testing. We then continued to provide commentary throughout
the year on how to improve testing and contact tracing by embracing innovative technologies (here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) , and here ([link removed]) ).

Track and trace app: The Government abandoned its ill-conceived plans for an NHS contact tracing app and instead opted for a more decentralized Apple-Google approach. We had been warning that NHSX wasn’t up to the job for months ahead of the change, highlighting serious concerns about privacy, bugs, battery life and ultimately the risk that it wouldn’t be effective at saving lives. Our comments were featured on MailOnline ([link removed]) , The Telegraph ([link removed]) (and here ([link removed]) and here ([link removed]) ) and Guido
([link removed]) .

Public Health England: Speaking of overly-centralised public health response...the ASI has long been critical of the bloated public health body which spends more time and taxpayer money telling us what we can and cannot eat or drink instead of overseeing pandemic preparedness. We led public commentary about PHE's dismal pandemic response (here ([link removed]) , here ([link removed]) , and here ([link removed]) ). They refused to adapt to circumstances and involve the private sector when needed. The defunct body is being replaced...and we’ll be sure to keep an eye on its successor.

Restaurant & pub support: The ASI’s paper Winning the Peace ([link removed]) , cited in multiple media outlets, outlined the economic challenge we face and how to move forward. Several of the ASI’s early calls for relaxation of onerous regulation in the face of unprecedented restrictions on trading were adopted by the Government, mainly allowing restaurants and pubs to serve on the pavement outside their premises and immediately be allowed to offer takeaway.

Furlough & Business support schemes: Given the choice to artificially suspend trading for businesses across the country, we called for (but never used –– Ed.) the furlough and business support schemes as a necessary support mechanism. As part of ‘freezing’ the economy, we identified them as a tool to help businesses stay solvent. In our Winning the Peace paper we also outlined our vision for rolling back the support when the time comes.

E-scooters: The ASI’s paper, Safe to Scoot: How Legalising E-scooters Will Save Lives, Bust Congestion and Help the Environment ([link removed]) , came out at the start of February. It received coverage on BBC News ([link removed]) , CityAM ([link removed]) , Telegraph ([link removed]) , and Spiked ([link removed]) . In June, the Government began legalising the devices ([link removed]) through limited trial programmes.

Housing policy: After over 10 years advocating for housing policy reform, this year we have seen some encouraging movement towards fixing the housing crisis. Through our work with MHCLG and Secretary of State Robert Jenrick, we have been able to see our long-fought proposals put into a Government White Paper.

Among our adopted proposals are:
* Street votes for development approval
* Expand rights to develop upwards
* The extensions of Permitted Development Rights to allow easier conversion between commercial and residential properties
* Devolution of planning laws from the national level to the local with design codes
* Moving democracy upfront with a commitment to regular rules-based development and a move away from costly arbitrary political decisions on planning

Blood plasma: Our paper, published in conjunction with Niskanen Center and Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, has been the impetus for legislative reform in Alberta, Canada.

Bloody Well Pay Them ([link removed]) , by Peter Jaworski makes the case for remunerated blood plasma donations in order to increase supply of lifesaving blood plasma and fill shortage gaps. The United Kingdom imports 100% of its supply of blood plasma, Canada (84%), Australia (52%), and New Zealand (13%). They are increasingly dependent on imports for blood plasma from countries that remunerate donors. By paying for blood plasma, we can significantly increase supply, reduce costs, and create domestic stock.

Bloody Well Pay Them was heavily referenced in debate in Alberta, resulting in a change in legislation to allow blood plasma donors to receive compensation. We hope that the UK will follow suit and begin blood plasma donor remuneration.

Trade and Business advisory: This year we were honoured to serve as expert representatives on two Government advisory bodies. I was a member of Business Secretary Alok Sharma’s business roundtable series. We specifically focused on keeping the UK open for business, looking to win and retain more high value investment for the UK. The ASI was the only think tank represented at these roundtables. In addition, our Deputy Director Matt is on the Department of International Trade’s strategic trade advisory group, which provides a forum for high-level strategic discussions between government, and stakeholders representing a cross-section of interests from all parts of the UK on trade policy matters. Matt is the representative from the think tank industry. (Sounds like the ASI is the king of the think tanks –– Ed.)

Government submissions: We have submitted more responses to government consultations this year than ever before. It’s a great way to exercise your voice, too! With our friends at the TaxPayers’ Alliance we organised 140 responses from people like you to the Future of the Planning System consultation. We also encouraged submissions to the consultation concerning the Mad Ad Ban Plan ([link removed]) , which closed on Dec 22nd.

Other submissions this year included those to:
* Parliament’s freedom of expression inquiry
* Parliament’s ‘Tax after Coronavirus’ committee (where ASI Senior Fellow Tim Worstall was called to an evidence session)
* Parliament’s ‘Economy after Coronavirus’ impact assessment
* Parliament’s ARPA UK committee (a new UK research funding agency)
* Parliament’s social care inquiry
* Government’s 'Recognition of Professional Qualifications and Regulation of Professions' call for evidence
* Government’s planning reform white paper
* Law Commission’s online communications review

[link removed]

We reached thousands of you all across the world through our weekly webinar series. From hosting leading parliamentarians, journalists, to academics and policy wonks, we covered everything from innovation to the future of the union. Some staff favourites include: Doing our Duty by Hong Kong ([link removed]) , featuring the now-incarcerated Hong Kong freedom activist Joshua Wong; Cancelling Cancel Culture ([link removed]) , with a lively discussion about the limits of free speech (and of pulling down statues, if you remember that blip); and our US election special, A Divided America ([link removed]) .

[link removed]

[link removed]
[link removed]
Virtually brilliant education programmes: We weren’t going to let a once-in-a-generation pandemic get in the way of our school talks, conferences and seminars to educate the ‘yoof'. Our intrepid staff braved the storms of Zoom calls in the harsh climate of their own homes to deliver doses of sound economic thinking to young people up and down the country. Earlier in the year, we brought together the brightest young minds in the free market movement for a virtual Freedom Week, where scintillating talks were punctuated by equally exciting virtual pub quizzes, political pictionary, and more. More recently, we held the first virtual version of our popular Forum conference: featuring fantastic lectures on everything from scientific frauds to the trial of Charles I. We even managed to send out hundreds of books to schools across the UK!
[link removed]
The Pin Factory podcast: After years of ASI staff saying that we should “probably do a podcast”, we now have a podcast! Twenty episodes in and our two loveable (says you –– Ed.) co-hosts Daniel and Matt Lesh show no signs of slowing down, covering the week’s news from a free market perspective alongside special guests. If you haven’t subscribed yet ([link removed]) , what on earth are you doing with your free time?
Meeja: Although we may have video'd in from our bedrooms instead of gracing the TV studios of London, our team has had a bumper media year. From a pre-lockdown appearance on The Big Questions, to ASI authors discussing their reports on air, to regular morning radio show appearances (shout out to the 6am crowd!), our talented staff have been spreading sound ideas across TV, radio, and print.

Here are some numbers to put it all in context, but be sure to follow us on Twitter ([link removed]) , Facebook ([link removed]) , and YouTube ([link removed]) to see TV clips and newspaper clippings.
[link removed]


** FOLLOW US FOR MORE
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

We’ve published a seemingly endless succession of reports in this seemingly endless year so if you happened to miss one, here is a full list!
* High Street Heist: How to Save the High Street By Relaxing Anti-Competitive Zoning Rules ([link removed]) by Thomas Walker
* Safe to Scoot: How Legalising E-scooters Will Save Lives, Bust Congestion and Help the Environment ([link removed]) by Matthew Lesh
* Abolishing The Factory Tax: How to Boost Investment and Level Up Britain ([link removed]) by Sam Dumitriu
* Testing Times: The urgent need to decentralise COVID-19 diagnostic testing in the United Kingdom ([link removed]) by Matthew Lesh
* Reopening Britain: The economic urgency ([link removed]) by Dr Eamonn Butler and Matthew Lesh
* Young Hit Hardest by Lockdown, Want Tax Cuts: A Survey of the UK Population ([link removed]) by Matthew Kilcoyne and Matthew Lesh
* Shifting out of Lockdown: The Four Days On, Ten Days Off Model ([link removed]) by Professor Keith Willison and Matthew Lesh
* Winning the Peace: How to safely unfreeze the economy and unleash British enterprise ([link removed]) by Matthew Kilcoyne and Matthew Lesh
* Fixing Social Care: New funding, new methods, new partnerships ([link removed]) by Dr Eamonn Butler
* Bloody Well Pay Them: The case for Voluntary Remunerated Plasma Collections ([link removed]) by Dr Peter M Jaworski
* The Urgent Need for NGDP Targeting: Learning from the last crisis ([link removed]) by Scott Sumner
* Medicinal Use of Psilocybin: Reducing restrictions on research and treatment ([link removed]) by Dr James Rucker, Dr Jesse Schnall, Dr Daniel D’Hotman, David King, Timmy Davis, and Professor Joanna Neill
* No to ARPA: How state research spending does not stimulate innovation ([link removed]) by Professor Terence Kealey
* A Ripper Deal: The case for free trade and movement between Australia and the United Kingdom ([link removed]) by Senator James Paterson
* State of the Unions: How to restore free association and expression, combat extremism and make student unions effective ([link removed]) by Maximilian Young and Lucky Dube
* Streamlining the Quango State ([link removed]) by Tim Ambler
* Home Improvement: Fixing England’s broken planning system once and for all ([link removed]) by John Myers
* Sense and Sensitivity: Restoring free speech in the United Kingdom ([link removed]) by Preston J Byrne
* These are the droids you’re looking for: An optimistic vision for artificial intelligence, automation and the future of work ([link removed]) by James Lawson

[link removed]

We could not have achieved all of this without the support of our donors, so we extend a wholehearted 'thank you' to everyone who has contributed this year. Coming from all walks of life and many different areas of interest, we are thrilled and proud to have such a diverse group of supporters who have faith in the work we do. If you would like to support similar work you can do so by clicking on the button below! It’s easy and there’s no minimum (or maximum –– Ed.) donation or frequency.

This year has been tough on us all, but if you find yourselves with a little spare cash, do think of supporting our fight to educate the next generation and hold the government to account. Simply put, if you like the work we do, help keep it going.
Donate to the Adam Smith Research Trust ([link removed])
AND I QUOTE…

It’s not from the benevolence of the baker that we expect our dinner. It’s because the baker kneads the dough…

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

e

============================================================
We need your support...
Let us be frank: these are difficult times with uncertain outcomes. The ASI's work is vital to get us through and rebuild a free and prosperous society on the other side. The work does not stop. More than ever, we need your moral and financial support.
** Donate to the Adam Smith Research Trust ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
Adam Smith Institute
23 Great Smith Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3BL, United Kingdom

** View this email in your browser ([link removed])
| ** Update ([link removed])
| ** Unsubscribe ([link removed])