There is something special about Sunday Morning, The Sunday Times, hot croissants, with honey and butter rather special. I do like croissants but not as much as Steve Hilton, special adviser to the Prime Minister apparently. Hilton loves cycling and croissants and thinks nothing of cycling for 20 km just to collect fresh croissants when on holiday in France.
Hilton is one of those blue sky thinkers, who should be denied time on his own. Apparently Hilton thought up the “Big Society”. Described by Rachel, his wife as the BS, his latest ideas include abolishing maternity leave and job centres to stimulate productivity. Excellent.
I suspect the Steve Hilton’s brain is full up as described by Jonathan Leake, the Science editor of the Sunday Times on page one, I am beginning to think mine is. Not sure I am at the cognitive peak of human evolution as described in the article. Each to their own peak and not for me to say.
It’s the end of July and Manchester becomes something of a ghost town as August approaches. For those of us remaining, it’s a chance to catch up on projects. I am about three behind at present, China, impact on the world economy, and forty years of UK trade deficits are in my head. I am like a pregnant elephant ready to release after a prolonged gestation period. I guess my brain is full as Leake suggests
Talking of China, the tragic Wenzhou rail crash led the critics to suggest this is a clear demonstration of too much growth too quickly in an unsustainable scrabble for expansion. Is this really so or is the accident no more evidence of a growth plan off the rails, than the Potters Bar rail crash, a representation of capitalist decadence and the end of Western hegemony.
Much mirth in the office on Monday as a call came in from BBC Five Live asking me to speak on Radio Beeb on Tuesday about the GDP figures. It will have to be a very enticing offer they cautioned. I was quite keen until I realised Five Live was a morning slot and for me a contradiction in terms.
On Tuesday, the eagerly awaited GDP figure for the second quarter. Growth year on year just 0.8%. Growth is just too low at this stage in the recovery. The march of the makers, rebuilding the workshop of the world, has been crippled by reality.
Joe Grice Chief Economist of the ONS is beginning to sound like a sales director missing targets and clinging to any excuse of failure to get results. The second quarter figure had been hit April’s warm weather, the extra bank holiday and the Japanese Tsunami. Joe has previously said, in the final quarter of 2010, there was too much snow and in the first quarter 2011 not enough snow. Thank heavens it didn’t snow on the day of the Royal Wedding. More BS logic but David Smith bought in!
Good meetings during the week, with Sue Woodward from the Sharp project and David Edmundson-Bird from MMU and the Manchester Digital agency. Dave is joining the e-team management group a great asset, as would be anyone with the name of a character from Sesame Street.
Thursday a presentation to the RBS Marketing team re sponsorship of SME club and in the afternoon a meeting with UKTI anxious to understand where Manchester is (on the financial and professional services map). Time Newns in his new role as Chief Executive of MIDAS led the party. RBS Global banking services did most of the talking.
Friday and I find myself on a panel with Jim O’Neill from Goldman Sachs and John Early Chairman of the Business Leadership Council. Jim is chairing the economics advisory panel to the LEP and also a committee reviewing progress of the Manchester recovery plan.
A great debate ensued amongst a select group of Manchester key players. The group included Nick Johnson, who adds momentum to the idea of dress down Fridays.
Jim later agreed to present at the Manchester Business conference our news style show hosted by Kirsty Wary and Gavin Esler in March. If you don’t get to Davos get to the Point. It is going to be a great event.
The diary thins out in August so every chance to visit the grandchildren soon. Just have to get the Economics Review off to the printers before I do!
Hope all is well with all, more news next week,
John
John Ashcroft CEO pro.manchester.
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