Labour to hold free seminars on public finances to end Westminster orthodoxy
The events will include expert panels, including members of Labour’s economic advisory group, such as Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz [Image: Ray Tang/Rex Shutterstock].
Meanwhile, the Tories have their heads up their own posteriors and are wondering why it is getting dark.
This Writer would like to go to one of these seminars. Wouldn’t you?
Free economics seminars for the public will be held by Labour across the UK in an attempt to break away from “Westminster-dominated views” about public finances.
John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, is launching the “New Economics” events in a bid to get members of the public talking about economic ideas in the hope they will inform Labour policy.
The events will include seminars and expert panels, including members
of Labour’s economic advisory group, such as Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz, and leading economists Mariana Mazzucato and Ha-Joon Chang.Topics up for debate include inequality, technology and work, and the strategic state before a national conference on economics is held by McDonnell in May.
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This is an excellent idea. We really need to get rid of the notion that if you have a tenner and go down to the pub, you only spend a tenner and that the nations finances run with the same stupid logic. I follow Richard Murphy’s blog Tax Research UK and also read Stiglitz and am looking forward to more articles from Ann Pettifor and Wren Lewis and Picketty. Unfortunately I can’t travel very far and no-one I know would be interested. They prefer to remain blissfully ignorant but still manage to offer criticism on anything and everything of which they have no knowledge. With any luck, someone will write up a blog from a recording and post it on their website.You’re a competent economist and you have a good following, well I never. Would you like me to send you a fiver towards petrol?
That depends on where you are and where the nearest such seminar is taking place!
Simon Wren-Lewis writes a blog called Mainly Macro. I’ve run several of its pieces here. He manages to keep most of it simple enough for novices like myself to understand.
This should have happened years ago but the control freaks in New Labour would not condone it.
Thank goodness they’re out of the way.
Maybe you’ll allow free expression to start with. John McDonnell is a liar. If you need proof – in matters of import – I will provide you with that proof. That said, why should I believe anything that he says about finance? Are we to take instruction in matters of finance from the party which embraced PFI wholeheartedly and famously left naff all at the Treasury? More ruin awaits. Although I doubt if my comments will pass the censor.
Your comment about John McDonnell certainly requires proof. I’m amazed that you haven’t offered it immediately.
I note that all your subsequent claims refer, not to Mr McDonnell, but to policies put in place by his forerunners in Labour – and are also partially mistaken. The Conservatives brought in PFI. Labour had to use it because the Tories famously left “naff all” at the Treasury when Labour came to office in 1997. The NHS and the education system were in desperate need of investment and PFI was the only option suggested by Treasury civil servants, who persuaded Gordon Brown and Tony Blair to use it.
I have mentioned this many times before and know that you have read those pieces, so I take it you are merely repeating the false claim to get an emotional reaction. That’s trolling. Don’t do it.
The short answer is YES I would, will fatso Ed Ballsup be giving us the benefits of his financial know knowledge, you know, the lack of being able to count on two fingers which made us a laughing stock at the Elections…..I had warned that we could not win with this imbecile and, the Mouse who conned the Unions into su[pport him in beating his dumb ass Bro.for the Leadership.
Lectured at Harvard, indeed! on what for Gods sake.
No, I don’t think Ed Balls will be there. The article makes it perfectly clear that the seminars will include members of Labour’s current economic advisory group. Balls was part of the old leadership that has gone. I wonder why you bothered to mention him at all.
Yes, I would certainly like to attend one of these, if they will be held north of the border. Although I think I probably know a bit more than the average voter about public finances, especially more than my Tory brother, I know there are glaring gaps in my knowledge that has been built up mostly from various (and often conflicting) views on the blogs, along with a few specialist articles. It would be good to have everything consolidated.
Unfortunately, I suspect, the Tory voters that this might sway will probably not attend.
I don’t know why I do this this, it’s probably because I’m so big hearted but if you want to begin saving for your fare, you can see Mr McDonnell at The London School of Economics, The Sheik Zayed Theatre, WC1 at 6.30pm for 7.30pm talking on this subject on Tuesday, 16th February when he will be interviewed by Tony Travers. Entry is free but one ticket per person only. As it’s probably bound to be popular I would imagine that the students and staff will nab all tickets before Joe Public gets a look in but you can try. Not precisely what you were looking for but a good grounding nonetheless.
Most kind.
brilliant Idea. Respect for the public long overdue from Parliament.