
The WeekLI
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TOP STORY |
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Commonwealth trade policy has the potential to lift people out of poverty and into prosperity. |
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Earlier this month, the Commonwealth Trade Ministers met in London for the first meeting of its kind since the 1930s. Shanker Singham, Chairman of the Legatum Institute’s Special Trade Commission, delivered a speech putting forward innovative recommendations to re-energise Commonwealth trade policy. While the road ahead could be challenging, Shanker highlighted the vast opportunities for Commonwealth members to lead, learn from each other’s differences, and set out a global vision and standard which could lift people out of poverty and into prosperity. Shanker said that in order to achieve this, the Commonwealth must prioritise open trade, competition on merit, and the protection of property rights. He emphasised that UK trade policy should ensure UK domestic laws promote competition in the marketplace, establish new bilateral agreements which were previously negotiated by the EU, create a prosperity zone with like-minded countries, and improve the UK’s position within the World Trade Organization. |
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Read the full speech here |
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PROSPERITY INDEX
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NEW REPORT |
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Matthew Elliott analyses the Dutch election and considers whether the rise of populism will continue into 2017. |
2016 delivered two major political shocks to the West with profound global consequences: first the decision by British voters to leave the European Union and then the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. These two events can be seen in a broader context that some are referring to as the ‘rise of populism’.
Ahead of the Dutch general election last week, our new Senior Fellow Matthew Elliott, produced a brief guide to the election which includes an analysis of the similarities and differences between Geert Wilders and the Freedom Party, to the Brexit and Trump phenomena in 2016. This report into the ‘rise of populism’ builds on the Legatum Institute’s report, 48:52: Healing a Divided Britain. Matthew argues that, “it would be a mistake to assume that anyone who was pro-Brexit, is automatically pro-Trump, pro-Wilders or in favour of other countries leaving the EU. But while there are clear distinctions, international economic changes and global shifts in social attitudes point to some important similarities.” Using data from the Legatum Prosperity Index™, the OECD, and Gallup, this report examines the economic, social and political similarities between the Netherlands, the UK, and the US. Following the Dutch election result, Matthew produced a short report providing immediate post-election analysis. A longer paper will be published later this year with a more considered analysis of the voting patterns and the new coalition government. |
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PROSPERITY INDEX |
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LEGATUM INSTITUTE BUSINESS FORUM |
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The Business Forum is a platform for businesses who wish to engage constructively and proactively in policy discussions around economic growth and social wellbeing. Hosted monthly, these round tables are member-only discussions with influential policy-makers and experts which enable constructive conversation about important, topical issues. For more information about the Business Forum please contact: izabela.joshi@li.com |
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK |
“The Business Forum regularly attracts top political speakers and creates an environment in which business can engage in meaningful and constructive policy dialogue – I never leave a session without fresh insight and new contacts.” Ólöf Jónsdóttir, Head of Public Affairs for Rockwool Ltd |
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LEGATUM VOX |
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IN OTHER NEWS |
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Cristina Odone writes in CapX that Italians may live longer but they don’t all prosper READ HERE |
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Shanker Singham writes in City A.M. that a ‘deal or no deal’ Brexit rhetoric is not helpful READ HERE |
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Shanker Singham was interviewed for BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme on the prospects for the UK following Brexit LISTEN HERE |
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In the Daily Telegraph, Shanker Singham writes about the importance of continuing to push towards global free trade READ HERE |
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Harriet Maltby writes in CapX, that Scotland’s prosperity depends on the Union READ HERE |
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In an interview with City A.M. Shanker Singham says Brexit is an opportunity to put Britain at the heart of a global trade revolution READ HERE |
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Following his analysis of the Dutch elections, Matthew Elliott was interviewed by Sky News on the election results, Brexit and the rise of populism WATCH HERE |
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Matthew Elliott was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Up All Night following the Dutch election results LISTEN HERE |
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