New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Business
  2. Economics
4 August 2010

The funniest press release of the year

Some people on the right still don’t “get it”: their economic model failed.

By Mehdi Hasan

I just received this press release (below) and I wasn’t sure whether to laugh out loud, pinch myself or consult a calendar to check if it’s 1 April.

It’s from the Institute of Economic Affairs:

In a new research paper released today, the Institute of Economic Affairs argues the coalition’s proposals on financial reform will do little to improve the quality of financial regulation in the UK.

The coalition is proposing to abolish the FSA and reallocate its functions between a series of new quangos and the Bank of England. Instead Does Britain need a financial regulator? (authored by Philip Booth and Terry Arthur) suggests the regulation of investment markets, financial products, insurance companies and other financial institutions, currently carried out by the FSA and the Pensions Regulator, should be stopped and these sectors should instead be allowed to self-regulate within a framework of limited primary legislation.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Self-regulate? The bankers?! Have the guys and gals at the IEA been in a coma for the past two years? Or are they really the evidence-denying, bank-defending, free-market fanatics that this press release suggests?

Content from our partners
Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people?
"Why wouldn't you?" Joining the charge towards net zero
The road to clean power 2030