- Paul Mason
- 14 May 08, 06:08 PM
Bank of England governor Mervyn King has warned that "for the time being at least the nice decade is behind us". He didn't accept recession was likely but admitted it was possible - even though the Bank's own "fan charts" do not give it even an outside, ten-to-one chance.
Coming on the same day as Gordon Brown's outline of draft legislation, the Bank's handily outlines the economic terrain on which the political battle of the next two years will be fought. And it's bumpy...
Continue reading "The end of economic niceness"
- Newsnight
- 14 May 08, 05:55 PM
BROWN'S POLITICAL FIGHT BACK?
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced the laws he wants to introduce in the next Parliamentary session. The programme includes 18 Bills which include plans to give communities more say about policing priorities - and policies to extend the range of affordable homes available to first time buyers. The Conservatives said Mr Brown had "run out of steam". The Lib Dems said he had "scraped the barrel to save himself". Our Political Editor, Michael Crick will analyse what sort of message the government is sending and will gauge whether the public are prepared to listen after the 10p tax row.
INFLATION
The Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, has warned today that the economy faces a bumpy road ahead. In a gloomy report, he forecast rising inflation and slowing growth, and said the "nice decade" was over. Our Economics Editor, Paul Mason will set out how inflation and unemployment could limit Gordon Brown's wriggle room in future.
We'll be bringing together senior politicians from all three parties to discuss whether the Draft Queen's speech will really punch through to the electorate.
WHITE CITY
It's exactly 100 years ago today since an extraordinary exhibition took place at White City, which is now the home of the 大象传媒 Television Centre in London. The Great White City was a collection of shimmering palaces and pavilions that made up the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908. Our Culture Correspondent, Madeleine Holt, reports on a one-off celebration of harmony between Britain and France.
DISASTERS
Two big disasters in Burma and China have hit in recent days causing massive causalities. But are they having the same impact on us compared to the Asian Tsunami in 2004? If not why is that? Is it down to a muted media response at first? And what happened to liberal interventionism?
- Newsnight
- 14 May 08, 05:22 PM
Madeleine Holt, Culture Correspondent
HAVE YOU SEEN OUR EXHIBITION?
Newsnight is venturing into new territory - we've set up our own exhibition. The idea came out one of the stories we have been working on.
A year ago I found out about the Franco-British Exhibition - a pioneering celebration of the Entente Cordiale between France and Britain. It was held on the exact site of 大象传媒 TV Centre in London, exactly 100 years ago.
At the time, I was doing my own research into how the 大象传媒 could be more imaginative with its public space. I have not got very far pursuing that one... But when I found out about "the Franco", as it was known, I thought that we should do more than just a film about it on Newsnight.
Wouldn't it be great to put on show some of the incredible photographs we uncovered - so other 大象传媒 staff and members of the public could see what was once here?
Almost no one at the 大象传媒 seems to know about the breathtaking buildings that were built right here. They were all made of white plaster of Paris - hence the place became nicknamed "the Great White City".
I have always wondered why today's White City has such a forlorn feel to it. Now I think I know why. It is as if the destruction of this once magical landscape has cast a permanent blight over this particular bit of the capital.
While we were putting up the exhibition, people began to stop and stare at the images. "I can't believe that was here once," said one local resident.
If you happen to be in London, and in the area, do stop by and see our display. It is behind the glass facade of TV Centre reception - right on the street in Wood Lane, opposite White City underground. We think the photos are amazing. You can watch the film .
Let us known what YOU think.
- Newsnight
- 14 May 08, 03:15 PM
Two big disasters in Burma and China have hit in recent days causing massive causalities.
But are they having the same impact on us compared to the Asian Tsunami in 2004?
If not why is that?
- Newsnight
- 14 May 08, 11:45 AM
Robert Morgan is today's programme producer. Here is his morning email to the production team. You can contribute your ideas and views below.
Hello everyone,
We had the government's mini-budget yesterday in an attempt to deal with the 10p tax row. Now we have the draft Queen's Speech months in advance. Ideas welcome. Michael and Neil are on the case.
Should we be doing more on China and Burma today? Other stories? Is there anything Cherie Blair won't reveal in her memoirs?
We have a White City film from Madeleine and Henrietta:
It's exactly a hundred years ago today since an extraordinary exhibition took place at White City, which is now the home of 大象传媒 Television Centre in London. The Great White City was an extraordinary collection of shimmering palaces and pavilions that made up the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908. Our culture correspondent, Madeleine Holt, reports on a one-off celebration of harmony between Britain and France.
Playout thoughts? See you in a minute,
Robert
