Andrew Lodge
@andrewwj.bsky.social
Curious. Enjoys policy. And other subjects. Ex HMT, BoE, various other places. Based in Canada; but still close to UK
Maybe it’s “a diligent, unshowy predecessor, who does the hard work but doesn’t get too many plaudits for charisma” which is best.
November 14, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Maybe it’s “a diligent, unshowy predecessor, who does the hard work but doesn’t get too many plaudits for charisma” which is best.
Yes, agree. But “succeed” in a job can often be by reference to recent others (eg Jack Welch’s legacy image was hard for Jeffrey Immelt to live up to - and his actual legacy at GE was pretty awful). Brown and Paul Martin both seen as less charismatic than their predecessors, annoying for them.
November 14, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Yes, agree. But “succeed” in a job can often be by reference to recent others (eg Jack Welch’s legacy image was hard for Jeffrey Immelt to live up to - and his actual legacy at GE was pretty awful). Brown and Paul Martin both seen as less charismatic than their predecessors, annoying for them.
A good predecessor, but not too good. (Not so charismatic that you pale by comparison; not so lucky with the economy that it turns when you’re PM). Like Brown with Blair, or Paul Martin with Jean Chrétien (now I’m in Canada this resonates).
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
A good predecessor, but not too good. (Not so charismatic that you pale by comparison; not so lucky with the economy that it turns when you’re PM). Like Brown with Blair, or Paul Martin with Jean Chrétien (now I’m in Canada this resonates).
Yes, this. We all get richer from a simple tax code, with well-designed taxes and the right incentives (for everyone) to work and not avoid tax. The UK tax system is one of the worst globally for this. There’s a clear set of recommendations on what to do (by Mirrlees, Nobel economist). From 2010!
November 11, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Yes, this. We all get richer from a simple tax code, with well-designed taxes and the right incentives (for everyone) to work and not avoid tax. The UK tax system is one of the worst globally for this. There’s a clear set of recommendations on what to do (by Mirrlees, Nobel economist). From 2010!
Very interesting column. The midlife dip seems a reasonable explanation. But social media also likely exacerbate it as it allows much easier social comparison (“now I don’t even need to go to the school reunion…) and highlights missed opportunities (“wow, why didn’t I do what that person did”)
November 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Very interesting column. The midlife dip seems a reasonable explanation. But social media also likely exacerbate it as it allows much easier social comparison (“now I don’t even need to go to the school reunion…) and highlights missed opportunities (“wow, why didn’t I do what that person did”)
This is really poor: “Now this adds to a growing list of charges at the chancellor's door, and it is yet another day when the government completely lost control of the news agenda.”
October 31, 2025 at 1:12 AM
This is really poor: “Now this adds to a growing list of charges at the chancellor's door, and it is yet another day when the government completely lost control of the news agenda.”
It’s fair misleading for banks to call their “capital” a productive investment, vs say a capital asset of R&D.
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 PM
It’s fair misleading for banks to call their “capital” a productive investment, vs say a capital asset of R&D.
But to be fair, the use of the word “capital” @gavinjackson.bsky.social was referring to is completely different to bank capital. Bank capital is a (arguably misleading) term for the most highly subordinated liabilities of a bank, eg equity which take losses first. Not an investment asset.
October 28, 2025 at 9:36 PM
But to be fair, the use of the word “capital” @gavinjackson.bsky.social was referring to is completely different to bank capital. Bank capital is a (arguably misleading) term for the most highly subordinated liabilities of a bank, eg equity which take losses first. Not an investment asset.
You’re right, that was what I jumped to too when I read this. Property loans (especially residential) have lower capital weighting than - say - lending to small businesses. Because property lending is lower risk.
October 28, 2025 at 9:32 PM
You’re right, that was what I jumped to too when I read this. Property loans (especially residential) have lower capital weighting than - say - lending to small businesses. Because property lending is lower risk.
Yes! But whatever makes us smile is surely good
October 26, 2025 at 11:28 AM
Yes! But whatever makes us smile is surely good
This made me laugh out loud, fyi
October 26, 2025 at 11:20 AM
This made me laugh out loud, fyi
Ossington, Little Italy are excellent suggestions. (I can link you to a super B&B by Ossington if helpful, inexpensive & great breakfast, I stay there often - DM me).
October 26, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Ossington, Little Italy are excellent suggestions. (I can link you to a super B&B by Ossington if helpful, inexpensive & great breakfast, I stay there often - DM me).
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October 22, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Dogs can eat a wide variety of foods. Insect-based works well. openfarmpet.ca/products/ins...
Interesting article. I suspect football rules can easily change to address this, eg limit throw-ins.
October 21, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Interesting article. I suspect football rules can easily change to address this, eg limit throw-ins.
Really interesting. What do teenagers say about Brexit? Are they uniform or mixed in views? (Hope you write an article on this)
October 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Really interesting. What do teenagers say about Brexit? Are they uniform or mixed in views? (Hope you write an article on this)
That was definitely the case, probably still is. Spreadsheets were highly basic. And PowerPoint presentations could be simply a submission pasted into slides…
October 21, 2025 at 10:56 AM
That was definitely the case, probably still is. Spreadsheets were highly basic. And PowerPoint presentations could be simply a submission pasted into slides…
To be fair (to LinkedIn? I suppose), it’s basically a job-hunting site for corporate jobs. Tons of recruiters, job postings, professional preening. Useful for that. Some economists, retired policymakers do post interesting stuff there, very un-edgy.
October 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
To be fair (to LinkedIn? I suppose), it’s basically a job-hunting site for corporate jobs. Tons of recruiters, job postings, professional preening. Useful for that. Some economists, retired policymakers do post interesting stuff there, very un-edgy.
We just got watches for our kids which doubles as a (non-smart) phone. So they don’t get the internet or social media, but can text/call/take & send pictures (and steps, which one of my kids loves). There is a GPS tracker too. Made by a Scandinavia company, Xplora. Seems good so far.
pictures.here
October 20, 2025 at 4:13 PM
We just got watches for our kids which doubles as a (non-smart) phone. So they don’t get the internet or social media, but can text/call/take & send pictures (and steps, which one of my kids loves). There is a GPS tracker too. Made by a Scandinavia company, Xplora. Seems good so far.
Very interesting, thanks!
October 20, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Very interesting, thanks!
This is part of the reason average age and tenure in HM Treasury is so short. (Published figures in 2009 were average age 31, average time in HMT 3 years - IIRC). Unlikely to have changed since. High house prices are a nightmare for retention.
October 19, 2025 at 11:10 PM
This is part of the reason average age and tenure in HM Treasury is so short. (Published figures in 2009 were average age 31, average time in HMT 3 years - IIRC). Unlikely to have changed since. High house prices are a nightmare for retention.
The meme version of Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch.
October 19, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The meme version of Nick Hornby’s Fever Pitch.
Yes. The pay disparity between, say HM Treasury and top management consulting jobs isn’t too huge at entry-level. But in the late 20s it’s huge (x3-4) and buying family house up to Zone 3 can be tough.
October 19, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Yes. The pay disparity between, say HM Treasury and top management consulting jobs isn’t too huge at entry-level. But in the late 20s it’s huge (x3-4) and buying family house up to Zone 3 can be tough.
Yes, agreed. It would likely take a Man U-like unwillingness to admit a mistake to save him.
October 18, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Yes, agreed. It would likely take a Man U-like unwillingness to admit a mistake to save him.
But hamstrung from the beginning?
October 18, 2025 at 1:08 PM
But hamstrung from the beginning?