The Communist Manifesto belongs in the dustbins of history

ASI Fellow Alex Singleton argues against Owen Jones (author of 'Chavs') on the Communist Manifesto on the Jeremy Vine Show. Alex argues that poison lies at the very heart of communist ideology and that The Communist Manifesto belongs with Mein Kampf, in the dustbins of history, along with all the other works of fanaticism that have sought to brutalise and stint the human condition. 

You can listen to his interview on BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine Show here (from 1:22:30)

Robin Hood tax & Cardinal Keith O'Brien

Sam Bowman argues on BBC Radio Scotland that Cardinal Keith O"Brien is wrong to call on the government to introduce a Robin Hood Tax. He argues that the tax would bring in any significant revenue, would drive traders abroad and would make everyone poorer. It would effectively wipe out derivatives trading and would be tantamount to economic suicide.

You can listen to his discussion on the Robin Hood Tax on BBC Radio Scotland here (from 2:14onwards). 

The insanity of subsidising manufacturing

He argues that manufacturing employment has fallen as a result of an increase in productivity in the manufacturing sector. He argues that this change is a global and structural, and there is no point subsidising industry.

Read the full article on Telegraph.co.uk here.

Summary

Tim Worstall, ASI senior fellow, writes on Telegraph.co.uk on why manufacturing should not be subsidised. 

Should everyone have the right to strike?

Sam Bowman talks on BBC Radio Newcastle on why people should be able to strike as a last resort, but also why it shouldn't be enshrined in law. The current law is weighted in favour of the big unions who constantly threaten to strike. You don't need a union to guarantee you are treated well in a job - most people aren't members of unions and unions are no longer a necessity to ensure job security.

You can listen to the full interview here (from 22minutes in).

ASI Budget analysis

He argues that chancellors can not generate wealth, but only redistribute it and that they ought to create the conditions for growth. He argues that the budget does well in many respects, but falls short considerably elsewhere.

Summary

Tom Clougherty writes on Politics First about whether the 2012 Budget can breathe life into the British economy. 

Eurozone debt crisis: how Greece could exit the euro

You can read the article in full on Telegraph.co.uk here. 

Summary

Following the ASI's entry to the Wolfson Competition the Daily Telegraph examines how Greece could leave the Euro and the key events which our fellow, Miles Saltiel, thinks are necessary to allow as smooth a transition as possible. 

The HMRC's report into the former 50p rate provides the evidence for substantial tax cuts

Read on ConservativeHome here. 

Summary

Peter Young, fiscal policy adviser at the Adam Smith Institute, looks at HMRC's report into the revenue effect of the 50p income tax rate. He argues at ConservativeHome the report provides evidence that the government  should cut the rate to 40%, not 45p, in order to boost both revenue and growth. 

Minimum alcohol pricing will hurt the poor

In response to Cameron’s announcement today on plans for a minimum price of 40p per unit of alcohol, Sam Bowman, Head of Research at the Adam Smith Institute argues that it is a terrible policy idea:

“Minimum alcohol pricing is intensely regressive. It only hurts poor and frugal drinkers, leaving drinkers of expensive wines and other drinks untouched. Minimum alcohol pricing is anti-fun Victorian paternalism, and the government is engaged in a misguided moral crusade against drinking. 

“In fact, there is no significant drinking problem in Britain. We drink less than we did ten years ago and less than we did one hundred years ago. Britons drink less per person than the French, Germans, Spanish, Belgians and Czechs.

“Minimum alcohol pricing is the beginning of a slippery slope: the minimum pricing rate will creep upwards  and affect currently-untouched drinks. All drinkers should oppose this, because by the time the minimum price rises to affect them directly, it will be too late.”
 

Coverage on the 2012 Budget

The Adam Smith Institute appeared on a variety of TV, radio, print and online news sites commenting on Osborne's announcements both pre and post speech. Below are some of the highlights:

• Dr Eamonn Butler on the Jeff Randall Show, Sky News discussing the expected changes in taxes.

• Dr Madsen Pirie on the Today Programme arguing against government intervention in business and for less regulation and taxes.

• ASI Fellow Alex Singleton on the Jeremy Vine Show defending the need to scrap the 50p tax rate.

• Sam Bowman on Al Arabiya TV giving his reaction to Osborne's announcements.

• Dr Madsen Pirie writes in City AM an entrepreneur's wish list for the budget.

• Sam Bowman writes in the New Statesman on his dream budget proposal: legalising and taxing drugs.

• Sally Thompson writing on Politics.co.uk on the need to reduce the tax burden and simplify the tax system to generate growth.

• Dr Eamonn Butler writes in the Spectator Coffee House on how Osborne can learn from Adam Smith on taxation.

• Sam Bowman took part in a live blog on Reuters, giving his immediate reactions as the Budget policies were announced. 

• Tom Clougherty's criticises the tax hike on cigarettes in The Sun.

• The ASI's reaction to the 50p tax rate and lowering of the 40p tax threshold feature in the Daily Mail and Daily Telegraph and ConservativeHome.

Legalise and tax drugs

Read on the New Statesman here. 

Summary

Sam Bowman writes in the New Statesman on the one thing he would like to see Osborne do in his budget: legalise and tax drugs.