大象传媒

In the first edition of the new series of Leader Conference, Andrew Rawnsley was joined by Sarah Sands of the London Evening Standard; Rafael Behr of the New Statesman; Ruth Sunderland of the Daily Mail; Phil Collins of the Times; and Kevin Maguire of the Daily Mirror.听

They debated: the possible takeover bid for AstraZeneca by Pfizer; the abduction of Nigerian schoolgirls; and creativity on screen.

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Fizzing with Pfizer? 听听

AstraZeneca is a hugely important company for not only the British pharmaceutical industry but also the UK economy. The Anglo-Swedish drugs giant, with a market value of nearly 拢60 billion, helps to undergird this country鈥檚 strong tradition in the life sciences and to offer well-paid jobs in pioneering research鈥昦lbeit significantly fewer than it once did. We are therefore concerned about the possible implications of the company being taken over by its transatlantic rival, Pfizer. The American firm, famous for its development of Viagra, has made no secret of its ambition, should it launch a bid, to base the enlarged group in Britain rather than the US in order to reap a significant tax advantage. The business case for a tie-up should be stronger than that.

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However, our concerns are not based on reflex hostility to global mergers. After all, British companies have acquired assets abroad with important knock-on benefits for this country.听听Encouraging large innovative companies to locate in Britain too can bring investment and jobs, provide a stronger competitive edge and promote long-term growth. Britain鈥檚 rules on takeovers and mergers are among the most liberal in the developed world partly to achieve these aims and help foster a dynamic economy. But they must not be abused.

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We therefore recommend that the Business Secretary set a number of tests for Pfizer to satisfy before any bid is approved. These include determining how far a deal would add value to the sector in the UK; satisfying himself that the new company would meet its tax obligations; and requiring it to demonstrate a commitment to developing new drugs and treatments in Britain and to maintaining employment. These are not anti-competitive requirements but they would help secure a deal based on sound business logic and innovative science that is potentially a major prize for the country as a whole.听 听听

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Education, education, education

The reaction to this week鈥檚 murder of Ann Maguire at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds has underlined how a good teacher is beyond price. Nigerians, it is clear, feel the same way鈥昦s the million-woman march in the capital, Abuja, on 30th April made clear. It was held in support of the more than 200 teenage girls who were abducted from their boarding school in the north-east of the country by followers, it is claimed, of the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram. Loosely translated, the group鈥檚 title means 鈥淲estern education is forbidden鈥�.听 We find this group and its objectives abhorrent and believe that Western countries need to demonstrate their opposition to its aims explicitly and unequivocally. They have done this against the Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan, supporting the work of Malala Yousafzai, for example.听 It needs to be done in Nigeria too. 听听

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After all, if such an event had befallen teenagers in the UK or the US, we can be sure that the news would have been dominated by their plight. Pressure would have been brought to bear for action to be taken to liberate them. But the weak government of President Goodluck Jonathan is unable to exert that influence. The West therefore needs, in our view, to take steps to support those in Nigeria who recognise the value of education and how it can help the country develop and achieve greater stability.

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In our view, this should take two forms. First, in practical terms countries like Britain should offer aid, such as search aircraft, which can be deployed to help in the hunt for the girls. In the longer term, Western governments need to show how improved education for women can be an important spur to growth in the developing world. We agree that the gains are potentially enormous 鈥� Nigeria is now confirmed as the African continent鈥檚 largest economy with a thriving entrepreneurial culture that is set to grow further. With greater education of young girls will come lower levels of teenage and unwanted pregnancies, a greater likelihood of girls and young women getting paid jobs and, in turn, greater prospects of the next generation being educated too. 听听

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Rebooting Old Favourites 听听

We note 鈥� and deplore 鈥� the recent tendency to criticise television and film producers who return to past successes. If new ideas aren鈥檛 up to scratch, what鈥檚 wrong with new versions of The Saint, an old ITV favourite of the 1960s or of Dad鈥檚 Army 鈥� not to mention 大象传媒 ONE鈥檚 Generation Game? They can give pleasure to new generations of viewers. The Royal Shakespeare Company has shown how it can be done with its well-turned re-workings of the eponymous playwright鈥檚 works down the decades. Film and television shows are really no different. However, we deprecate ironic takes on old favourites. Ambitious commissioning editors who think these cool are misguided. We think these reversions not only disrespectful to the original idea but mocking. By all means reboot, but do it tastefully.听

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