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  • Thought for the Week: Leading in Uncertainty

    Thought for the Week: Leading in Uncertainty
    2026/06/22
    One of the extraordinary sights in nature is starling murmurations — hundreds of thousands of birds in what looks like a co-ordinated dance, but without any central control. It can be seen as a metaphor for humanity: individual freedom means charting your own way through life, but with respect for others. As yet again we face leadership in uncertainty, politicians need to learn that we don't need them to be prescriptive about how people should live, or to run everything on their behalf. Will Andy Burnham respect individual freedom? Time will tell. Background music: 'Floating Home' by Brian Bolger Share Radio webpage for links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 分
  • Thought for the Week: Hunt for a resolution to the UK public finance crisis

    Thought for the Week: Hunt for a resolution to the UK public finance crisis
    2026/06/15
    Starmer's clarion call for the 2024 General Election was 'Change', somewhat different from Tony Blair's 'Education, Education, Education'. However, in contrast to Blair's delivery in Government, Starmer has got stuck in a morass of inaction, bogged down by the crisis in public finances and an unwillingness to tackle the big issues. The biggest of these is welfare spending, major changes to which former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt recognises as the only way out of this dilemma. As we said on 26th May, it's time to call 'time' on 75 years of democratic socialism (yes, let's remember that the Conservatives tacitly went along with this also). Background music: 'Taking in The Changes' by Everet Almond Share Radio webpage for links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 分
  • Thought for the Week: Looking through the black hole of economics

    Thought for the Week: Looking through the black hole of economics
    2026/06/08
    On 29 August 2023 our commentary described the black hole of economics as its failure to recognise the opportunity to use the human life-cycle in order to empower new generations of disadvantaged young people with resources and life skills. Thanks to Cambridge University, we've now taken a major step forward with the Inter-Generational Rebalancing Conference, and it's time to plan the next stage as we move through research, education and advocacy on the journey towards implementation. Background music: 'Saving the World' by Aaron Kenny Share Alliance Conference webpage 'The Black Hole of Economics' commentary Share Radio webpage for links for this podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    11 分
  • Thought for the Week: AI — Keeping humanity in charge

    Thought for the Week: AI — Keeping humanity in charge
    2026/06/01
    The direct nature of Pope Leo XIV's AI encyclical took some of his colleagues by surprise: as an AI expert Franciscan friar who has advised the Vatican says, ‘Papal documents usually speak in principles; this one names the structural problem — computational power is concentrated in the hands of a few private actors who answer to no democratic process’. The jury is still out on the impact of Artificial Intelligence on human employment, but the cartoon from Private Eye on our commentary webpage resonates closely with Standard Chartered's announcement that it will use AI to replace 'lower-value human capital', with about 7,800 back-office roles to be cut by 2030. Background music: 'The New Order' by Aaron Kenny. Image source: Wikipedia Share Radio webpage for links and the Private Eye cartoon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 分
  • Thought for the Week: How democratic socialism has failed the young — and how egalitarian capitalism can turn the tide

    Thought for the Week: How democratic socialism has failed the young — and how egalitarian capitalism can turn the tide
    2026/05/26
    There has been a spate of reports on youth unemployment recently, and Alan Milburn will warn of 'a generational, societal and economic catastrophe’ if we don't recognise that the welfare state was built for a different era, and must now change. The impact of such substantial debt, in both personal and public contexts, of Artificial Intelligence and the pervasive influence of social media present real challenges for young people. David Willetts set out the scale of the challenge at Share Alliance's Inter-generational Rebalancing Conference, and Professor Sir Julian Le Grand put his finger on the huge change in mindset that's required. It will require much more than tinkering with Labour Party leadership to sort this out. Background music: 'Metamorphosis' by Quincas Moreira Share Radio webpage for links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    16 分
  • Thought for the Week: The inter-generational journey of hope

    Thought for the Week: The inter-generational journey of hope
    2026/05/18
    Journeys of hope move forwards, not backwards; they need to keep moving, not get stuck in a rut. They need to build progress as we go forward, by discovering more about human capability and understanding. In this context, we somehow need to tackle the major challenges necessary in order to focus on global, not just national or regional, problems. Looking back at European Union membership with rose-tinted spectacles won't help us make that transition. Background music: 'Hopeful Freedom' by Asher Fulero Share Radio webpage for links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 分
  • Thought for the Week: Stealth Taxes & Policy Stagnation

    Thought for the Week: Stealth Taxes & Policy Stagnation
    2026/05/11
    The collapse in electoral support for both Labour and the Conservatives shows the extent to which central governments have become a black hole for people's economic wellbeing by freezing tax thresholds, clinging on to universal (as opposed to targeted) welfare, and failing to address the gulf of opportunity which is holding back so many young people. It's time for politicians of all colours to reflect the need for all to see the opportunity for individual ownership and empowerment. Background music: 'Something Is Wrong' by Sir Cubworth Share Radio webpage for links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    12 分
  • Thought for the Week: Breaking the cycle of deprivation

    Thought for the Week: Breaking the cycle of deprivation
    2026/05/05
    Paul Johnson's new book, 'Challenging Inequalities', sets out graphically the barriers to opportunity for young people whose early years are spent in disadvantage and poverty. When Sir Keith Joseph referred to breaking the cycle of deprivation, he wasn't referring to negative impositions from central government but looking for ways to deliver individual opportunity in order to give everyone the chance to fulfill their potential in life. Background music: 'Everything Has a Beginning' by Joel Cummins Share Radio Wepage for links Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    16 分