Oil
Free Caledonia: a land of opportunity (and corporate welfare) for Big Business?
It is not unusual to hear dark warnings of what might happen if Scotland votes for independence. Big Business is flighty. It is rather more unusual to hear leading business… Continue reading
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Scottish independence: it’s still (almost) all about oil.
The Scottish government published a paper on the national economy today that, according to Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, makes the case for independence. You can read the pamphlet here… Continue reading
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Whisper it, but the British economy may in better shape than you think... - Spectator Blogs
Doom and gloom is all around. This is another winter, if not of discontent, then certainly of persistent grumbling. Optimism is as rare as a Scottish victory at Twickenham and,… Continue reading
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No Country for Green Men - Spectator Blogs
This week’s Think Scotland column takes a gander, just for once, at the Scottish Green party. Patrick Harvie’s party is in favour of Scottish independence for reasons that, frankly, seem… Continue reading
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Iran and oil are still on the agenda
For all the talk about Greece and France and the Eurozone, it’s telling just how much our politicians are focusing on Iran. Indeed, some of the most concrete political settlements… Continue reading
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The US has taken a stance against Argentina’s brinkmanship — it’s time we joined them
The 30th anniversary of the Falklands War – and the bellicose rhetoric (and videos) currently emerging from Buenos Aires — has once more shone a spotlight on the UK’s relationship… Continue reading
37 CommentsOsborne, Laffer & the Cost of Black Gold Populism
As you’d expect, Brother Hoskin offers a fair summary of George Osborne’s difficulties with fuel duty. Osborne, backed it should be said by Danny Alexander, decided to pay for his… Continue reading
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Would Iran block the Strait of Hormuz?
With the EU agreeing a new round of sanctions on Iran – outlawing European oil and gas purchases from Iran in six months, freezing Iran’s Central Bank and banning trade… Continue reading
18 CommentsCameron’s fight over the Falklands
Thirty years on from the Falklands War, and the hostility between Britain and Argentina persists. And it was that hostility that delivered the most striking moment of PMQs earlier. Not… Continue reading
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Can Scotland make it on its own?
What would an independent Scotland’s public finances look like? ‘Good, actually,’ says the SNP as they present their ongoing case for independence. They like to claim that, discounting the rest… Continue reading
69 CommentsBlack gold: the key to Libya’s future
Tripoli The Roman theatre in Sabratha simmers in the afternoon sun, glowing a warm terracotta. It is a magnificent site as we head west from Tripoli to the Mellitah Oil… Continue reading
6 CommentsEU bans Syrian oil imports
The EU has banned imports of crude oil from Syria. This is being touted as a major success for the EU, displaying the ability of governments to act collectively. Oil… Continue reading
5 CommentsPetrol woes set to continue
Despite small falls in petrol prices last month, the consequence of a supermarket price war according to the AA, motoring becomes ever more expensive. Political campaigns have opened as pressure… Continue reading
15 CommentsOsborne’s Black Gold Populism
James is right to draw attention to the problems arising from the coalition’s decision to hike taxes on oil companies. Perhps halting the fuel duty escalator was worth it but… Continue reading
9 CommentsMeltdown danger
The situation in Japan is deteriorating further. In the early hours of this morning, the last workers are said to have left the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant as the… Continue reading
52 CommentsDuncan warns of oil price rise and King of future financial crisis
There are two important political interviews in today’s papers, Alan Duncan in The Times and Mervyn King in the Telegraph. Duncan, the international development minister, echoes Chris Huhne’s warning of… Continue reading
22 CommentsWhat price a fuel duty stabiliser?
Last we heard, the government was considering what it should, and could, do to suppress rising fuel prices. I wonder whether they have now pencilled something into March’s Red Book.… Continue reading
29 CommentsDeepwater Horizon Latest: Perhaps Tony Hayward was Right?
A remarkable headline in the New York Times today: Oil in Gulf Poses Only Slight Risk, New U.S. Report Says, The government is expected to announce on Wednesday that three-quarters… Continue reading
7 CommentsWas Carter right?
Today marks the 31st anniversary of President Jimmy Carter’s famous ‘malaise’ speech. On July 15, 1979, Carter, then running for re-election against Ronald Reagan, ignored the advice of his campaign… Continue reading
27 CommentsHayward in the stocks
American politics often plays like a bloodsport, but the appearance of BP’s Tony Hayward before a congressional hearing today has been in a league all of its own. Things were… Continue reading
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