From Institute of Economic Affairs <[email protected]>
Subject The path forward
Date June 27, 2021 8:00 AM
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* TALKING POINT, WITH VICTORIA HEWSON
* THE NEW TRADE ROUTE
* THE PATH FORWARD
* iN THE MEDIA
* IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
* CALLING ALL STUDENTS
* YOU'RE INVITED

This week we have been reflecting on the fifth anniversary of the referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU. Many unpredicted and unpredictable consequences flowed from the result of that vote, including for the IEA. The publication in summer 2018 of Plan A+: Creating a prosperous post-Brexit UK ([link removed]) , was welcomed by many as a positive, pro-free trade contribution to the increasingly fractious debate at that time. But as Mark Littlewood reflected this week, it also prompted fierce opposition – and a censorious backlash that threatened the very existence of the IEA .

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Dr Radomir Tylecote, co-author of Plan A+, has written ([link removed]) his account of the genesis of the plan, the legal and regulatory battles it provoked, and how it influenced the UK’s emergence as a globally-focused, independent trading nation. You can read The New Trade Route: The story of the IEA, Brexit and the UK's new approach to global trade here ([link removed]) .

Of course no-one then foresaw the outbreak of a novel coronavirus and the resulting restrictions on our lives. Just this week it was reported ([link removed]) that banks in New York have been encouraging workers to return to the office, but also requiring them to have been vaccinated against the virus to be allowed on the premises.

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I was invited to discuss this on Andrew Neil’s new show ([link removed]) on GB News. You can watch a clip here ([link removed]) . While we might accept in principle that a business should be allowed to require certain qualifications, including good health, from its workers if they wish, that does not make it the right thing to do. Who are those making the rules trying to protect, and from what risk?

My fellow panellist argued that people are anxious about returning to the office with potentially unvaccinated colleagues. I countered that assuaging the unfounded fears of co-workers, who have themselves presumably been vaccinated, is not a good reason to lower our usually very high thresholds for justified coercive medical interventions and disclosure of private information.

The government is already legislating to make vaccinations for care home workers mandatory, so it looks like we’ll be hearing more about this topic in the weeks and months ahead.

Victoria Hewson
Head of Regulatory Affairs, Institute of Economic Affairs
THE NEW TRADE ROUTE

As Victoria mentioned, this week the IEA published The New Trade Route: The story of the IEA, Brexit and the UK's new approach to global trade ([link removed]) .

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In this paper, author and IEA Fellow Dr Radomir Tylecote sets out how, in the years immediately following the Brexit referendum, a group of researchers at the IEA put forward the case for the return of free trade.

The paper explains the role of the IEA’s International Trade and Competition Unit (ITCU) in the debate on the future of the United Kingdom, helping to shape the new ‘free trade settlement’ that emerged.

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IEA Director of Communications Annabel Denham wrote her column for The Spectator ([link removed]) on the challenges advocates of a 'global Britain' face five years on from the historic vote, including a mercantilist and militarist China.

Annabel noted that many proposals within the Plan A+, including the option to seek membership of the Trade Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), pursue a UK-US free trade deal, deliver regulatory autonomy and set our own standards for both goods and services, have since been adopted or reiterated by senior government ministers.
THE PATH FORWARD


Hundreds of free-market liberals from across Europe gathered at the Atlas Europe Liberty Forum earlier this week. IEA spokespeople featured prominently throughout the conference.

Our Director General Mark Littlewood represented the IEA during the Europe Liberty Award Ceremony. IEA project ‘Britain unlimited – The making of a free trade champion’ was shortlisted as one of the top 3 most impactful European projects.

IEA Head of Political Economy Dr Kristian Niemietz chaired a discussion on the future of European healthcare reform. The panel addressed the challenges that have become more visible during the pandemic and examined the regulations and barriers preventing affordable pharmaceuticals from reaching the general market. They also discussed how outdated systems are preventing the implementation of more efficient approaches to medicine.

Lastly, EPICENTER’s Director Adam Bartha joined the CEO of the Atlas Network Brad Lips for a conversation about the future of the European freedom movement and outlined an action plan on how European free-market think tanks can work together and shape the European Union in a more classical liberal, pro-market way.
iN THE MEDIA

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Weight watchers... This week various health groups welcomed the introduction of a 9pm TV watershed and an online ban for junk-food ads.

However, as IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon pointed out in an interview for GB News, the policy lacks coherence and is highly unlikely to have the desired effect of reducing obesity, even by the government's own calculations.

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In a column for The Spectator ([link removed]) , Christopher argued that the exemption for companies with fewer than 250 employees only underlines the "absurdity" of the new rules.

Quoted in The Times ([link removed]) , The Telegraph ([link removed]) and the Daily Mail ([link removed]) , Christopher said:

"Under the new plans, an apple pie can be advertised by a café but not by the McDonalds next door. The local takeaway can advertise kebabs and pizzas but Asda cannot.

"With its new exemptions, the government has acknowledged that banning adverts for normal, everyday food products would stifle competition, hurt businesses and be bad for consumers."
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In a panel discussion on GB News, IEA Director of Communications Annabel Denham pointed out that there is no official definition of "junk food" ([link removed]) and warned against "clobbering" businesses that are hanging by a thread after months of pandemic restrictions. Watch a clip here ([link removed]) .

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Back to school... A new report by the House of Commons Education Committee was published this week. It drew attention once again to the poor educational performance of white working-class children, particularly boys, compared with that of most ethnic minorities.

In an article for The Telegraph ([link removed]) , IEA Editorial and Research Fellow Professor Len Shackleton argued that while the Committee may have its heart in the right place, and there is value in spotlighting poor educational achievement, these members have "too much faith" in the powers of top-down government spending, and "too little focus" on understanding parents and families.

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Thought control... In a letter to the editor in The Sunday Times ([link removed]) , IEA Head of Cultural Affairs Marc Glendening summarised the threat the “postmodernist new left” poses to free speech.

Responding to a column by Dominic Lawson ([link removed]) , Marc warned against "complacency" over the prospect of a full-on culture war. The "new left", Marc wrote, has established the “parameters of thought" within which virtually the whole of the public sector and big civil institutions perceive our society.

This includes the concept that language is "a form of coercive power", responsible for sustaining relations based upon the dominance of males and white people. Marc argued that this world-view is "ultimately incompatible" with diversity of opinion and, thus, liberal democracy. You can read his letter in full here ([link removed]) .

TEDx Talks... This week IEA Senior Academic Fellow Professor Philip Booth presented a TEDx Talk on climate change and the issue of inter-generational justice. He explored the evolution of government debt and how it will lead to huge wealth transfers from today’s younger generations to older generations. You can watch his speech here ([link removed]) .
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

*The Swift Half with Snowdon ft. Ryan Bourne

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In the latest episode, IEA Head of Lifestyle Economics Christopher Snowdon speaks to Ryan Bourne about his new book, Economics In One Virus, which you can purchase here ([link removed]... ) .

Ryan occupies the R. Evan Scharf Chair for the Public Understanding of Economics at the Cato Institute, and has written on a number of economic issues, including fiscal policy, inequality, minimum wages, infrastructure spending, and rent control. You can watch the show on the IEA YouTube channel here ([link removed]) .

*THINK 2021 with the Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable

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This year's THINK conference was held on Saturday 12th June. World leading economists and thinkers from all over the globe came together and gave talks, hosted discussions and took part in Q&A's.

You can now view the webinar with The Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable, former Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills and President of the Board of Trade between 2010-15, on the IEA YouTube channel here ([link removed]) .
IEA PATREON

Thank you to all of you who have already signed up to become an IEA Online Patron. Becoming a Patron grants you VIP access to our latest videos, priority invites to our virtual events, and the opportunity to engage directly with IEA Director General Mark Littlewood and the IEA team. For just a small donation you can get all these benefits and more.

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To visit the page and find out more about the IEA’s Patreon, follow the link here ([link removed]) or watch our trailer here ([link removed]) .
CALLING ALL STUDENTS

*Dorian Fisher Memorial Prize

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The deadline to enter this year's Dorian Fisher Essay Memorial Prize is Friday 30th July. The competition is open to all A-Level and IB students, with the chance of winning a first prize of £500, and £250 each for three runners-up. The top 20 entries will also all be invited to a special one-day event at the IEA in the autumn term.

The prize for this competition is named after Dorian Fisher, the wife of Sir Antony Fisher, founder of the IEA, who was a long-time supporter of the Institute and its work. You can find out more details on the IEA website here ([link removed]) . If you would like to enter, please send you entry to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) , clearly stating your name and school.

*Economics Thought Leaders Symposium (ETLS)

Applications are open to attend this year's Economics Thought Leaders Symposium. ELTS is an annual three-day residential symposium, jointly hosted by The Vinson Centre for the Public Understanding of Economics and Entrepreneurship at the University of Buckingham and the Institute of Economic Affairs. Senior undergraduates and postgraduates are invited to apply and, for those offered a place, it is entirely free to attend – there is no charge for accommodation, food or materials.

The theme for this year’s unique and exciting programme is the Future of Economic Thinking.

There are just 16 places available on this exclusive programme. To apply please send a CV (no more than two pages) and cover letter explaining why you would like to attend (250 words) and 500 words on which economic thinker you would erect a statue for to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) . The deadline for applications is 30 July 2021.
YOU'RE INVITED
*In Conversation with Jeremy Browne

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On 5th July, from 6-7pm, the IEA will host Jeremy Browne for the latest in our In Conversation series with senior figures in public life. This webinar will be chaired by IEA Director General Mark Littlewood.

Jeremy Browne is the former Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton Deane. He served as Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman from 2007 and during the coalition government was part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office team as Minister of State for South East Asia, Far East and the Pacific, and Minister of State for Crime Prevention at the Home Office. Since leaving Parliament, Jeremy has spent three years as Special Representative for the City of London Corporation in the European Union, leading efforts to boost the City’s presence in Brussels. You can watch live on YouTube here ([link removed]) .
*MA in Political Economy by Research

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The IEA is working with the Vinson Centre for the Public Understanding of Economics and Entrepreneurship at the University of Buckingham on the delivery of an MA in Political Economy by Research.

The programme can be completed by distance learning and is aimed at graduates with a strong interest in the history of economic ideas and the application of economics to questions of public policy.

Online seminars will cover topics on Adam Smith; David Ricardo; John Stuart Mill; Alfred Marshall; the marginalists and neoclassical economics; Karl Marx; Friedrich Hayek and the Austrians; J.M. Keynes; James Buchanan, Gordon Tullock and public choice theory; the Frankfurt School; and behavioural economics.

For further information, please follow the link here ([link removed]) .

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