Britain is going through a difficult time, when its sustained ability to punch above its weight, economically and diplomatically, is ebbing. The end of irrational exuberance found the country ill at ease with itself, with rising inequalities and unhealthy nationalism, just when it needs to be fleet-footed in recognising that many of the traditional pillars of its strengths have changed. The need is to recognise other supports and partners and find a new common purpose after the pandemic. I live in hope.

baron appointed director of economic strategy

The Economic Commission, the first of its kind in the UK, seeks to seriously raise the rate of long-term sustainable economic growth in Manchester. Baron has signed up for understanding and explaining how to do that, getting everyone else to sign up for the new way of working required to achieve it and piloting the city region through some very difficult choices of short-term pain for long-term gain to get to those sunny uplands. We wish him luck...

Attached File: appointment to ME (February 2008).doc