The FT has noted today that with Barclays having announced the end of its global investment banking strategy there are no UK investment banks left. The market is now US dominated. It’s an interesting point. Three thoughts follow.
First, why in this case do we take such risk with our economy to support this activity?
Second, does this say what the Americans have always thought, which is that London is a regulation light tax haven servicing Wall Street, which had such disastrous consequences in 2008.
Third, if the City really can’t deliver on financial services why grant it those enormous privileges it enjoys?
My suspicion is the poverty of both ability and long term aspiration in the City is now being laid bare for all to see. And if that is the case then the case for reform is overwhelming.
Of course the UK needs strong financial services to support UK business and to provide services abroad. I do not for a moment argue otherwise. But the arrangements we have are clearly not meeting either need now. In that case what arguments are left for keeping the structure of the City that we have?
To pout it another way, should we really stay as the tax haven the City really is, or is it time to do a proper job in financial services and integrate financial services into the domestic economy?
Who owns the investment banks is irrelevant. That they all do their trading here is the point. Because that means that the value added is value added being added here. That’s a contribution to our GDP (some 4% of GDP according to Willem Buiter) and that’s the point. we are the hosts to the world’s international financial markets. As such we make oodles out of being the hosts.
Nice to see he is on a real roll this morning… must have forgotten to take his medication.
Dan
By contrast I think he has taken something quite strong – 4 lengthy posts and he has moderated out thus far all the comments from Courageous State supporters of old. Given his declining health it’s an impressive effort so far – that said, the day is young, and I’m sure Sue Queef and others are waiting in the wings. Let’s make Lawrence from Guernsey and the glove that feeds him (Should that be named ‘Murphy’s blue pencil?) are working to adhere to that comments policy…..
“or is it time to do a proper job in financial services and integrate financial services into the domestic economy?”
What does this mean?
compare and contrast, car manufacturing. is that failing to deliver because Nissan is not UK owned?
what structure of the City is he referring to? What does he want reformed?
What taxes is the LHTD alleging that these banks don’t pay? Aren’t they always getting leant on to pay extra levies etc?
Don’t worry, Ritchie’s working on every facet of society:
“Reinventing the company is a theme I hope to come to”
Looks like Guido likes the LHTD about as much as Tim does 🙂
http://order-order.com/2015/08/03/corbynista-knives-out-for-counter-revolutionary-chris-leslie/
And an old one from 2010: http://order-order.com/2010/12/06/more-left-wing-tax-hypocrisy-from-richard-murphy/#/plEm0Ag0rzwa7A
Do we really need, after all this time, to go any further than “He’s ignorant”?
“To pout it another way”
That’s not a typo.
“Rob
August 3, 2015 at 11:21 am
“or is it time to do a proper job in financial services and integrate financial services into the domestic economy?”
What does this mean?”
As always, whatever he wants it to mean.