Corruption allegations may hasten Blair’s exit

This should not surprise. When the whiff of corruption is rife, questioning the leader that has been around for so long is the correct thing to do.

It has all gove so badly wrong. The a political leader decides to leave voluntarily after ten years, this is a good thing and worthy of commendation.

Tony Blair's premiership is coming to a tortuous end. For some time now, it has been the strong assumption that he will quit office in June, shortly after celebrating his tenth anniversary in Downing Street. This week, a major row over corruption allegations has raised questions about whether his plans will be short-circuited, forcing him out of office earlier.

Pressure on Mr Blair is coming from a year-long police inquiry into allegations that Downing Street offered political honours to a group of business leaders in return for cash donations to the ruling Labour party. This week, the probe took a dramatic new twist when it emerged that Mr Blair had been interviewed for a second time by police.

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Blair and corporate responsibility – A balanced scorecard?

Tony Blair’s legacy on corporate responsibility is mixed

As in so many things, the Blair government began with high hopes for corporate responsibility. The appointment of a dedicated minister seemed not just to place the issues firmly at the centre of the political agenda, but also to raise the profile of responsible business more widely.

In the subsequent decade, there is no doubt that the UK government has been involved in some of the most cutting-edge initiatives. The Kimberley Process, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the Ethical Trading Initiative, while all subject to criticism, have been successful in promoting change on key aspects of the responsible business agenda.

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Recruiting plus-40s

Ian Blair is 69 years young and something of a poster boy for career-minded job hunters aged over 45 - the definition of a mature age worker.
After a year spent looking for work, Mr Blair secured a permanent job as a senior consultant with Melbourne-based Prima Consulting, which provides software solutions for corporate and government clients.

"I am told there are not many 69-year-olds in the IT industry," he says.

Not that Mr Blair is a Luddite. He was using a computer to analyse farming productivity in the 1960s. He was an early internet user and "there at the beginning" of software languages such as SQL and integrated packages such as Microsoft Office.

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Is the UK more corrupt than France?

The British love to think of the French as irredeemably corrupt. But take a look at recent corruption scandals in Britain and France and it is hard to avoid the impression that it is the French who are taking a tougher line on sleaze than the supposedly upright Anglo-Saxons.

Last month, both the British and French prime ministers were interviewed by the police within a week of each other. But the handling of Tony Blair was noticeably softer than the treatment meted out to Dominique de Villepin. Mr Blair had a gentlemanly chat about the "cash-for-honours" scandal - which involves allegations that the Labour party sold peerages in return for loans to the party. His interview took place in Downing Street in the middle of the day and took less than two hours. By contrast Mr de Villepin was subjected to a 13-hour interrogation, ending at 3am. He was apparently questioned about suggestions that he may have attempted to smear fellow ministers in the "Clearstream affair". (Warning to readers: do not attempt to understand the Clearstream affair, that way madness lies).

Of course, neither of these investigations has run its course. There may be more trouble in store for Mr Blair and Mr de Villepin. But the contrast between the treatment of the two leaders is still striking. And it is not the only recent example of French toughness and British laxity. Last month Britain's Serious Fraud Office was instructed by the government to drop an inquiry into allegations of bribery, connected to a huge arms-sales contract with Saudi Arabia. The reason given was that the inquiry was endangering national security.

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Blair defends Saudi probe ruling

It is clear that the British government intervened with the judicial authorities to cease a corruption investigation that was bad for business. That sounds anti-democratic.

No wonder governments around the world make requests, such as expelling or arresting their citizens or intervening to prevent publication of articles they don´t like and the British government´s response is that they have no ability to intervene.

This action suggests the British government can do so when they want.

A sad day for democracy and for the rule of law.

Onésimo Alvarez-Moro

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Tony Blair has hit back at claims a corruption probe into a Saudi arms deal with BAE Systems was dropped after commercial and political pressure.

The Lib Dems believe the Serious Fraud Office was told to drop the case, owing to concerns that another multi-million pound Saudi deal would be lost.

Lib Dem leader Sir Menzies Campbell said it was deeply damaging to the rule of law and set a dangerous precedent.

Mr Blair has said the probe was dropped because of national security concerns.

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Seven principles to launching a leadership challenge

By popular demand, I return to the theme of (political) leadership. Two weeks ago, this column set out what seemed to be the seven classic leadership mistakes committed by Tony Blair, Britain’s outgoing prime minister. This analysis had such a devastating impact on his political fortunes that he immediately went on to win rapturous praise at the Labour party conference, his last-ever big speech being met with cries of “Don’t go, Tony!” and “Four more years!”

My criticism of Mr Blair also confirmed how bitterly divided public opinion can be these days. Responses to the piece ranged from ecstatic praise to extreme vituperation, with one emailer practically accusing me of being a member of al-Qaeda.

Nothing daunted, this column takes up the leadership challenge again this week, looking – as the Labour party urged voters at the last general election – forward, not back. Because however well Mr Blair may have gone down in Manchester last week, the fact is that he is on his way out. A new leader, almost certainly Gordon Brown, is going to replace him.

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Seven principles to launching a leadership challenge

By popular demand, I return to the theme of (political) leadership. Two weeks ago, this column set out what seemed to be the seven classic leadership mistakes committed by Tony Blair, Britain’s outgoing prime minister. This analysis had such a devastating impact on his political fortunes that he immediately went on to win rapturous praise at the Labour party conference, his last-ever big speech being met with cries of “Don’t go, Tony!” and “Four more years!”

My criticism of Mr Blair also confirmed how bitterly divided public opinion can be these days. Responses to the piece ranged from ecstatic praise to extreme vituperation, with one emailer practically accusing me of being a member of al-Qaeda.

Nothing daunted, this column takes up the leadership challenge again this week, looking – as the Labour party urged voters at the last general election – forward, not back. Because however well Mr Blair may have gone down in Manchester last week, the fact is that he is on his way out. A new leader, almost certainly Gordon Brown, is going to replace him.

See full Article (paid subscription required).

Seven principles to launch leadership challenge

By popular demand, I return to the theme of (political) leadership. Two weeks ago, this column set out what seemed to be the seven classic leadership mistakes committed by Tony Blair, Britain’s outgoing prime minister. This analysis had such a devastating impact on his political fortunes that he immediately went on to win rapturous praise at the Labour party conference, his last-ever big speech being met with cries of “Don’t go, Tony!” and “Four more years!”

My criticism of Mr Blair also confirmed how bitterly divided public opinion can be these days. Responses to the piece ranged from ecstatic praise to extreme vituperation, with one emailer practically accusing me of being a member of al-Qaeda.

Nothing daunted, this column takes up the leadership challenge again this week, looking – as the Labour party urged voters at the last general election – forward, not back. Because however well Mr Blair may have gone down in Manchester last week, the fact is that he is on his way out. A new leader, almost certainly Gordon Brown, is going to replace him.

See full Article (paid subscription required).

Financial groups back Blair's FSA attack

Blair's anti-FSA stance backed by leading financial trade bodies

Tony Blair's claim that the FSA is 'hugely inhibiting of efficient business' has been backed up by leading financial trade bodies, including the Association of Independent Financial Advisers.

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FSA blasts Blair for 'damaging' speech

Callum McCarthy, the chairman of the Financial Services Authority, has accused Tony Blair of undermining the role of the City watchdog.

McCarthy sent a four-page letter to the prime minister last week after Blair delivered a speech in which he described the FSA as being "seen as hugely inhibiting of efficient business".

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Who is to be the new World Bank head?

Now that we know the departure date of current World Bank head, Paul Wolfowitz, the search has begun for a new head.

If things go ahead as they usually do with international organizations, the new head will be another US national, as that is the agreement with the Bretton Woods organizations: the head of the World Bank is from the US and the head of the IMF is from Europe, the old powers.

No crumbs for anyone else, and little accounting for ability and fit.

A suggestion to get the ball rolling with the first non-US President could be retiring British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who is also leaving in June (is that a coincidence?).

Reasons why he could make it include:

• He is a friend of US President George Bush.
  
• He is a friend of EU leaders.
  
• He is well known internationally.
  
• Gordon Brown as head of the International Monetary and Financial Committee of the IMF, has strong influence with other finance ministers.
  

Mr. Blair has shown himself interested in international issues and poverty and this would be a fitting position for him next.

As the first non-US World Bank President, we would have made the first step towards the practice of choosing Presidents for their ability and their effectiveness, rather than their nationality and connections.

Onésimo Alvarez-Moro

Africa 'needs billions more aid' says Blair commission

The commission set up by ex-UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to find solutions to poverty in Africa says the continent needs billions more dollars in aid.

The Commission for Africa says the world's poorest continent has made "extraordinary progress" since 2005.

But poverty reduction has also become more challenging in many parts of Africa, it says.

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Tony Blair: 'Heavy price' for climate inaction

World leaders may pay a heavy price in history if they fail to tackle global warming, Tony Blair has warned.

He said politicians did not have to wait for chaotic climate change in order for them to act.

The risks of not cutting emissions, given the potentially massive consequences, was enough to justify action, he told BBC Radio 4.

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Senators Discuss Global Climate Issues

U.S. action - or inaction - on the climate has far-reaching economic impacts, members of Congress discussed March 3.

“U.S. Climate Action: A Global Economic Perspective” was convened by Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), John McCain (R-AZ), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Click here to see a Web site about the symposium.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair kicked off the session, arguing that the leading world economic powers are starting to comprehend the risks of climate change. He urged all nations to invest in low-carbon economies. Blair said the United States can be a trendsetter by making progress on a domestic climate policy in the coming months, according to a press release.

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Financial groups support Blair's attack on regulator

Financial trade bodies have backed Prime Minister Tony Blair's claim that the Financial Services Authority was 'hugely inhibiting of efficient business'.

The Association of Independent Financial advisers said FSA rules forced its members to supply clients with four different documents before even opening a conversation, followed by more than 12 pages if they want to make a sale that complies with the regulator's rules.

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El loco presupuesto Europeo

Uno de los ejemplos de gobierno desastroso es lo que está pasando en la Unión Europea con la Política Agrícola Común.

Y parece que, otra vez, lo dejarán para el futuro.

OAM

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El problema en Europa en estos momentos parece que es que los británicos no quieren renunciar su derecho de recibir su cheque anual. Los Ministros Europeos han decidido que primer ministro Blair debe renunciar sus $4 billones anuales y ellos decidirán cómo distribuirlos. Blair dice que, si los Ministros quieren hablar de dinero, se debería hablar de todo el presupuesto Europeo, y apunta principalmente a la partida que consume más del 40% del presupuesto total, que es el PAC (la Política Agrícola Común).

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Blair criticises Sarbanes-Oxley Act

Prime minister in surprise attack on accountancy profession and Sarbox

Prime minister Tony Blair has publicly joined in criticism of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act, complaining it has added disproportionately to the cost of corporate governance.

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The Fight Against Malaria in Africa: Progress Made and Challenges Remaining

When: Wednesday 17 February 2010 17:30 to 18:45
Where: Chatham House, London, UK

Participants

Pam Bolton, Vice President, Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Fareed Abdullah, Unit Director, Africa Unit, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Adel Chaouch, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Marathon Oil Company
Chair: Ian Linden, Director of Faiths Act, Tony Blair Faith Foundation
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Type: Members event

More people die as a result of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa than any other part of the world, and most of these deaths are among children under the age of five. Malaria is a major impediment to development and costs the African economy billions of dollars each year, despite being a preventable and treatable disease.

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No more time for energy omissions

It has been clear for some time that the European Union has ceased to articulate realistic and achievable goals, such as the single market or monetary union, and moved on to metaphysical declarations, typified by the Lisbon agenda to make the EU the most competitive economy in the world by – any minute now.

Among the less realistic goals is one set this spring, for 20 per cent of energy to come from renewable sources by 2020. This target, eagerly endorsed by a departing Tony Blair, has emerged as more millstone than milestone in British policymaking. But the EU is not the main culprit behind the incoherence of UK energy policy. The government is.

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Moving targets keep low-carbon economy on the back burner

Government's scorecard on combating climate change doesn't add up

As we look back on the past year and look forward to the next, there are clearly huge challenges for our economy. The housing market, consumer spending and economic growth look poised on the edge of a pretty steep drop, and there is a growing chance of a recession.

But Gordon Brown - and before him Tony Blair - have stressed that the biggest challenge of our time is the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Professor Nick Stern recommended in his report this year that rich countries start spending at least 1% of their gross domestic product to combat climate change. That's roughly £13bn a year. The United Nations has since gone further and talked of 1.6% of GDP to achieve an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases.

The government has committed Britain to a legally binding target to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2050. This year the EU set a very demanding requirement that countries increase their share of energy produced from renewables such as wind, solar and biomass to 20% by 2020.

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