United Kingdom
The world's biggest carmakers yesterday boycotted the UK's first public inquiry into alleged price fixing and manipulation of the car market, drawing scorn from consumer groups and disappointment from the Department of Trade and Industry. The boycott led by Ford, Volkswagen, and Volvo was a significant
Political parties
Labour's new economic policy offensive may be gaining traction as the party attempts to shed its traditional "tax and spend" image, according to economic analysts. Strategically, the party is in a better position to present its argument than it has been in the last decade, but
Political parties
The Labour party, determined to regain economic credibility after successive election defeats, has taken a ruthless approach to policy-making under the leadership of Shadow Chancellor Gordon Brown. Focused on discrediting the Conservatives, Labour has made significant strides, with recent polls suggesting swing voters in southern England are moving back towards
Political parties
The Democrats have announced a harder stance towards the Budget, indicating a willingness to collaborate with the Opposition on crucial policy reforms if the Government fails to meet their demands. The party's leader, Senator Cheryl Kernot, expressed concerns about the Government's potential disregard for their Budget
Political parties
Britain's ruling Conservative Party is facing a critical moment in its leadership under Prime Minister John Major, as nationwide local council elections approach on Thursday. The elections involve almost 200 councils and 5,033 seats, with recent newspaper opinion polls showing the Tories trailing behind the opposition Labour
Political parties
In a spirited defense of Labour's economic policies, Lynne Armstrong argues that her party's approach differs fundamentally from that of the Conservatives. She emphasizes that Labour's goal is to reduce unemployment, thereby driving down the benefits bill and making taxation more efficient. This, in
Political parties
The Labour Party's leadership is faced with an existential question: what exactly is the party for in a post-Thatcher era where Conservative rule has shaped British politics for nearly 15 years? The party's negative campaign against Prime Minister John Major's government is starting to
Prime ministers
Russian President Boris Yeltsin's hopes for sustained economic reforms have taken a severe blow as Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin takes control of the Cabinet following a key economic reformer's departure. Former finance minister Boris Fyodorov's resignation, triggered by the resignation of market reform architect
Prime ministers
President Yeltsin has been struggling to name a Cabinet since the shock resignation of economic reformer Mr. Yegor Gaidar, with another prominent reformer, Mr. Boris Fyodorov, also refusing the economics job. The crisis talks between Yeltsin and Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin have continued for six-and-a-half hours, with no resolution in
