The Annual Sir Thomas Gresham Lecture 2023 the Lecture by Rory Stewart OBE

foxie!

Yes thank you DAR. Interesting and thought provoking. Agree with you folie.

The economics topic is great - just following Prof Martin Daunton on ‘Why did Europe’s economies diverge from Asia?

Forget the last sentence - not connected to Gresham College in Norfolk. It is still an interesting privately financed initiative started 400 years ago.

I hadn’t heard of Gresham College‘s educational video collection before and apparently the college has been educating the public for 400 years. There are many more subjects to explore and wide ranging too. Interesting by product for a public school?

foxie48

varian

Thank you DaisyAnneReturns for this reference.

I agree that Rory Stewart's lecture and response to questions was absolutely brilliant and I was heartened by his response to a questioner that he would never re-enter politics as a Conservative.

yes that's true, I don't think he'd enter politics as Labour either. I think that's why I like him so much, he's not having to shape his opinions to toe the party line so he's free to say what he believes and does.

May be he could move to the centre

I listened this morning but couldn’t stop to hear the question session.
Impressively fluent speaker, I liked him when he was in government even though I don’t vote for his party.

varian

Thank you DaisyAnneReturns for this reference.

I agree that Rory Stewart's lecture and response to questions was absolutely brilliant and I was heartened by his response to a questioner that he would never re-enter politics as a Conservative.

yes that's true, I don't think he'd enter politics as Labour either. I think that's why I like him so much, he's not having to shape his opinions to toe the party line so he's free to say what he believes and does.

I am so glad so many enjoyed watching this. It is good to hear such a talented speaker and be challenged to think deeper on these things.

Thank you DaisyAnneReturns for this reference.

I agree that Rory Stewart's lecture and response to questions was absolutely brilliant and I was heartened by his response to a questioner that he would never re-enter politics as a Conservative.

Of course he's a Tory but he's also very intelligent, humane, knowledgeable, very experienced, can laugh at himself and although he's privileged he's doesn't think he's entitled. The country would be a much kinder place if more Tories were like him and I think it's good to hear opinions that we might disagree with, especially if they are well constructed and thoughtful and his analysis of the move from consensus to populism is spot on.

Transcript here.

But only the talk, not the questions, which was when he talked about 'short of money'...

www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/thomas-gresham-23

MaizieD

Whitewavemark2

I’m talking to myself here!😄😄

But thinking about Stewart’s belief that there was no alternative to austerity, I would like to hear further what mitigation he would put into place regarding the severe poverty we are now seeing in the U.K. where people and in particular children are suffering from rickets and scurvy. I think he mentioned tax policy?

Like most people, Stewart follows the 'taxation funds spending line, and, having been an MP during the tory austerity period, he holds to the insane belief that cutting state funding somehow promotes more business activity and job creation.

Politicians really ought to have a course in basic macroeconomics which covers not just the neoliberal, monetarist 'ruling theory', but alternative Keynesian based theory, too. And they should understand how money is created and circulates in the economy. A bit of basic logic wouldn't come amiss..

At heart he is still Rory the Tory

Yes I suspect he does, but he was talking about taxation and the wealthy. Perhaps redistribution? I wouldn’t be surprised if that is something he would support as he is ?founder? Of a charity that believes that the poor make very rational choices if you give them the cash rather than practical help and I have always believed that to be the case, particularly the women.

Whitewavemark2

No I’m sure that’s what he said - although I did then listen to a trip podcast - oh yes maybe it was on there that he said it. Well - he did say it somewhere😄😄

Honestly I listen to do much I get muddled.

That's why I much prefer to read something.

I steer clear of podcasts and videos because it feels as though it's in at one ear and out of the other. Plus it's harder to refer back to a particular point.

There must be a transcript somewhere, surely?

No I’m sure that’s what he said - although I did then listen to a trip podcast - oh yes maybe it was on there that he said it. Well - he did say it somewhere😄😄

Honestly I listen to do much I get muddled.

An excellent way to spend an hour or so, he's very easy to follow but if you can't spend an hour, just listen to the questions at the end. No easy answers to our world/country's problems but at least a lot to think about and a rational explanation of how we got where we are. WWM I didn't hear him say there was no alternative to "austerity" but when talking about pay in the public sector he did say it needed to be paid for. Was this what you meant or did I miss it entirely?

Thanks for the link, DAR. I'm listening now. Have to cover the screen of my macbook because his hand movements do my head in, but by golly he's a good apeaker. Never liked him as a politician but the lecture is very interesting.

Excellent lecture. Hits the nail on the head. Unsurprisingly the Tory Party failed to elect him as leader (too intelligent) and BoJo gave him the push (too intelligent). What a waste but he may do some good as a public academic.

Just think, the Conservatives could have had him as their leader instead of Johnson, Truss or Sunak…even if we disagree with some of his ideas regarding the economy he’s still in a different league to what they (and we) ended up with.

Whitewavemark2

I’m talking to myself here!😄😄

But thinking about Stewart’s belief that there was no alternative to austerity, I would like to hear further what mitigation he would put into place regarding the severe poverty we are now seeing in the U.K. where people and in particular children are suffering from rickets and scurvy. I think he mentioned tax policy?

Like most people, Stewart follows the 'taxation funds spending line, and, having been an MP during the tory austerity period, he holds to the insane belief that cutting state funding somehow promotes more business activity and job creation.

Politicians really ought to have a course in basic macroeconomics which covers not just the neoliberal, monetarist 'ruling theory', but alternative Keynesian based theory, too. And they should understand how money is created and circulates in the economy. A bit of basic logic wouldn't come amiss..

At heart he is still Rory the Tory

What a fascinating listen, and how thought-provoking his lecture was. I do hope that he returns to politics soon, where someone of his calibre is so sorely needed.

Do, if you can, listen to this Oldbat. I think you would find it interesting.

I listen every week to the Podcast he does with Alistair Campbell. They a cover very interesting topics and i really like Rory. I also listen to The News Agent s Podcasts with Jon Sopel Emily Maitlis and Lewis somebody. Newscast is another one on BBC

You just can't take it all in in one sitting can you. I am making myself wait until later to watch again or I'll get nothing else done!

I’m talking to myself here!😄😄

But thinking about Stewart’s belief that there was no alternative to austerity, I would like to hear further what mitigation he would put into place regarding the severe poverty we are now seeing in the U.K. where people and in particular children are suffering from rickets and scurvy. I think he mentioned tax policy?