Alasdair Smith
@alasdairmsmith.bsky.social
Trade economist at Sussex (UKTPO and CITP); ex-VC University of Sussex; member of Competition Appeal Tribunal. So I have views on trade, and higher education (also fiscal sustainability, and pensions), but no views on anything to do with competition.
When I was on the Scottish Fiscal Commission, both SFC and Scottish Government kept a disciplined silence about forecasts through the run-up to the SG budget. Today’s row is confected, but shows the folly of the leaking about OBR forecasts.
November 30, 2025 at 10:46 AM
When I was on the Scottish Fiscal Commission, both SFC and Scottish Government kept a disciplined silence about forecasts through the run-up to the SG budget. Today’s row is confected, but shows the folly of the leaking about OBR forecasts.
Tourism destroys the attractiveness of destinations but paradoxically they continue to attract tourists.
November 30, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Tourism destroys the attractiveness of destinations but paradoxically they continue to attract tourists.
But the US Supreme Court has effectively annulled the emoluments clause for Trump.
November 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
But the US Supreme Court has effectively annulled the emoluments clause for Trump.
And that as well as meeting Putin without a notetaker (or his own interpreter) he openly messaged about the *current* discussions in the belief he was sending a private message.
November 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
And that as well as meeting Putin without a notetaker (or his own interpreter) he openly messaged about the *current* discussions in the belief he was sending a private message.
US exited the network infrastructure market many years ago because of European development of GSM which became the global standard.
November 13, 2025 at 10:25 PM
US exited the network infrastructure market many years ago because of European development of GSM which became the global standard.
Suggestion: we made a mistake, we apologise most sincerely, we are willing to donate £100,000 to a US charity in recognition of any damage to the reputation of President Trump, and we will show his entire unedited Jan 6 speech in a special programme.
November 11, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Suggestion: we made a mistake, we apologise most sincerely, we are willing to donate £100,000 to a US charity in recognition of any damage to the reputation of President Trump, and we will show his entire unedited Jan 6 speech in a special programme.
I think many students paying £9k fees know how much they are subsidising something other than teaching.
November 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I think many students paying £9k fees know how much they are subsidising something other than teaching.
Sunak’s suit looks like it got soaked in the rain sometime.
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Sunak’s suit looks like it got soaked in the rain sometime.
By-to-let landlords withdraw after a change in tax treatment of interest, giving Lloyds a significant commercial advantage.
November 9, 2025 at 11:50 AM
By-to-let landlords withdraw after a change in tax treatment of interest, giving Lloyds a significant commercial advantage.
There’s a current in libertarian thinking that says voting is irrational. Heritage thinks extra half vote is an incentive to have children?
November 7, 2025 at 7:15 AM
There’s a current in libertarian thinking that says voting is irrational. Heritage thinks extra half vote is an incentive to have children?
and surely worth seeing Cromwell (T) and More together?
November 6, 2025 at 9:51 PM
and surely worth seeing Cromwell (T) and More together?
Also a compare and contrast with Kamala Harris - father a Marxian economist mother a bio-medical scientist from different ex-colonies; who didn’t campaign on the cost of living.
November 5, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Also a compare and contrast with Kamala Harris - father a Marxian economist mother a bio-medical scientist from different ex-colonies; who didn’t campaign on the cost of living.
But still outclassed by Ernie Bevin: if you open that Pandora’s box you don’t know what Trojan horses will jump out.
November 5, 2025 at 8:47 AM
But still outclassed by Ernie Bevin: if you open that Pandora’s box you don’t know what Trojan horses will jump out.
Interesting conversation when the consultants submit their bill?
October 19, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Interesting conversation when the consultants submit their bill?
Especially because Mises was in favour of open borders.
October 18, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Especially because Mises was in favour of open borders.
The racism casts doubt on whether the “libertarianism” is genuine.
October 18, 2025 at 11:04 AM
The racism casts doubt on whether the “libertarianism” is genuine.
My understanding is that most of the macro forecasting expertise remains in the Treasury.
October 18, 2025 at 10:03 AM
My understanding is that most of the macro forecasting expertise remains in the Treasury.
Best wishes for a less dramatic scenario than last time.
October 14, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Best wishes for a less dramatic scenario than last time.
(Apols for late response) To the NHS burden add the psychic cost to the infected individuals of having an infection severe enough to cause hospitalisation. (In principle, could be charged to individuals; but has to be in the cost-benefit calculation. Doubles the severe infection cost?)
October 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
(Apols for late response) To the NHS burden add the psychic cost to the infected individuals of having an infection severe enough to cause hospitalisation. (In principle, could be charged to individuals; but has to be in the cost-benefit calculation. Doubles the severe infection cost?)
Was indeed an excellent lecture and discussion; also good to talk to you afterwards about the admirable Past, Present, Future podcast and its astonishing host.
October 8, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Was indeed an excellent lecture and discussion; also good to talk to you afterwards about the admirable Past, Present, Future podcast and its astonishing host.
And that favouring “research-intensive” universities encourages the cross-subsidy from student fees to research.
October 8, 2025 at 9:30 AM
And that favouring “research-intensive” universities encourages the cross-subsidy from student fees to research.
These were caps on numbers at institution level. New proposal seems more micro-managerial: course-level caps , from the party that used to trust the market.
October 8, 2025 at 7:37 AM
These were caps on numbers at institution level. New proposal seems more micro-managerial: course-level caps , from the party that used to trust the market.
We’re all looking forward to you meeting Trump in Stockholm.
October 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
We’re all looking forward to you meeting Trump in Stockholm.