Tom Hayes
@tomhayes.bsky.social
Irish, lives in France, labour relations consultant, writes about Brexit, the world of work, and EU issues.
Reform manifesto will urge all turkeys to vote for Christmas.
November 16, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Reform manifesto will urge all turkeys to vote for Christmas.
Economists are as much captured by ideology as the rest of us.
November 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Economists are as much captured by ideology as the rest of us.
Tony, the point I simply want to make is that politicians should decide on policies in accordance with their political values and get on with making decisions. They should not be in thrall to a bunch of economists, no matter where they are located.
November 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Tony, the point I simply want to make is that politicians should decide on policies in accordance with their political values and get on with making decisions. They should not be in thrall to a bunch of economists, no matter where they are located.
And from what I can see, the ORB is not much better. Economists are like commentators at football matches. They can tell you what went on in the first half, but they have no idea what will happen in the second half.
November 15, 2025 at 3:02 PM
And from what I can see, the ORB is not much better. Economists are like commentators at football matches. They can tell you what went on in the first half, but they have no idea what will happen in the second half.
I am not a tankie. Never have been. I have always been a social democrat. On the right of social democracy, at that.
November 15, 2025 at 2:59 PM
I am not a tankie. Never have been. I have always been a social democrat. On the right of social democracy, at that.
The markets can make up their own minds. They are paid enough.
November 15, 2025 at 2:56 PM
The markets can make up their own minds. They are paid enough.
The government itself should decide on matters. That is what they are elected for. To make decisions. They should not need third-party scorekeepers.
November 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
The government itself should decide on matters. That is what they are elected for. To make decisions. They should not need third-party scorekeepers.
What I think is ridiculous is that proposed government measures have to be submitted to a "star chamber" for some sort of approval. Made up of a bunch of economists. Who are mostly wrong about everything.
November 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
What I think is ridiculous is that proposed government measures have to be submitted to a "star chamber" for some sort of approval. Made up of a bunch of economists. Who are mostly wrong about everything.
Probably never. And even if it wanted to join (there is no such thing as rejoin), would it be wanted back? Anyway, why speculate? It is not going to happen anytime soon, and who can predict anything about the world in the years to come? The UK is the Fleetwood Mac of Europe: Going its own way.
November 9, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Probably never. And even if it wanted to join (there is no such thing as rejoin), would it be wanted back? Anyway, why speculate? It is not going to happen anytime soon, and who can predict anything about the world in the years to come? The UK is the Fleetwood Mac of Europe: Going its own way.
David, I think the question goes deeper. Is the market economy as it exists today still capable of delivering for those who have to work for a living? For some, yes, but for the majority, I am not so sure. Hence, the politics of anger and resentment. What was promised is not being delivered.
November 8, 2025 at 7:56 AM
David, I think the question goes deeper. Is the market economy as it exists today still capable of delivering for those who have to work for a living? For some, yes, but for the majority, I am not so sure. Hence, the politics of anger and resentment. What was promised is not being delivered.
It is unlike @peterfoster.bsky.social in the FT to get stuff wrong. There could be some confusion because the EU is shaking up its budget lines, the subject of heated debate at the moment with the EU Parliament.
November 7, 2025 at 9:35 AM
It is unlike @peterfoster.bsky.social in the FT to get stuff wrong. There could be some confusion because the EU is shaking up its budget lines, the subject of heated debate at the moment with the EU Parliament.
That's the way these things roll. It is called negotiations, and it depends on who has the leverage.
November 7, 2025 at 8:56 AM
That's the way these things roll. It is called negotiations, and it depends on who has the leverage.
No, just a matter of the EU saying to the UK that these are our terms. They do not have to be justified by reference to, or comparison with, any other deal.
November 7, 2025 at 8:25 AM
No, just a matter of the EU saying to the UK that these are our terms. They do not have to be justified by reference to, or comparison with, any other deal.
The US minimum wage is completely inadequate and has not been updated in years.
November 3, 2025 at 8:48 AM
The US minimum wage is completely inadequate and has not been updated in years.