Comments on: Conservative economic policy: the emergence of a new consensus? http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/06/conservative-economic-policy-the-emergence-of-a-new-consensus/ Policy news and comment from the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Thu, 24 May 2012 10:00:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Duncan http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/06/conservative-economic-policy-the-emergence-of-a-new-consensus/comment-page-1/#comment-2580 Duncan Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:32:24 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2866#comment-2580 Adam, I'm not arguing to bail out LDV in it current form. I think a switch to focus on green energy would have occurred if buyers could get the financing. I'm simply arguing that government should be invovled in the financing and restructuring. Similiar to what Obama is doing in the US. I think, especially in light of Osborne's comments, the political space to push ahead with this agenda has opened up. Adam,

I’m not arguing to bail out LDV in it current form.

I think a switch to focus on green energy would have occurred if buyers could get the financing. I’m simply arguing that government should be invovled in the financing and restructuring.

Similiar to what Obama is doing in the US.

I think, especially in light of Osborne’s comments, the political space to push ahead with this agenda has opened up.

]]> By: Adam Lent http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/06/conservative-economic-policy-the-emergence-of-a-new-consensus/comment-page-1/#comment-2577 Adam Lent Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:17:49 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2866#comment-2577 But from Mandy's point of view, that is precisely not what industrial actvism is about. He wants to shape the regulatory, financing and policy framework in a way that encourages key growth sectors to flourish. In jargon speak it is horizontal not vertical. This definitely represents a big shift in BERR/HMT thinking which used to run very scared of anything which suggested anybody other than the free market could determine future growth patters. But it is certainly not as big a break as a shift to direct support for troubled firms. If Mandelson did that it would be because his hand was forced not as a matter of policy. But from Mandy’s point of view, that is precisely not what industrial actvism is about. He wants to shape the regulatory, financing and policy framework in a way that encourages key growth sectors to flourish. In jargon speak it is horizontal not vertical. This definitely represents a big shift in BERR/HMT thinking which used to run very scared of anything which suggested anybody other than the free market could determine future growth patters. But it is certainly not as big a break as a shift to direct support for troubled firms. If Mandelson did that it would be because his hand was forced not as a matter of policy.

]]> By: Duncan http://touchstoneblog.org.uk/2009/06/conservative-economic-policy-the-emergence-of-a-new-consensus/comment-page-1/#comment-2576 Duncan Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:53:04 +0000 http://www.touchstoneblog.org.uk/?p=2866#comment-2576 Adam, Nice to see the Tories getting on board. I am frustrated though that, despite Mandelson, talking up an active industrial policy for months now - we've had little action. I rather hoped LDV would be the test case: http://duncanseconomicblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/from-the-ashes-of-ldv/ Adam,

Nice to see the Tories getting on board. I am frustrated though that, despite Mandelson, talking up an active industrial policy for months now – we’ve had little action.

I rather hoped LDV would be the test case:

http://duncanseconomicblog.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/from-the-ashes-of-ldv/

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