Today is a day for decision-makers. On 10 January 1750, Thomas Erskine was born. Often held the greatest advocate of the English bar, his success came upon his earlier life in the navy. A Captain Baillie had been appointed Lieutenant Governor of Greenwich Hospital, where he uncovered and reported upon abuses sourced to Lord Sandwich,… Continue reading #OTD 10 January – The die is cast
Month: January 2024
#OTD 9 January – Tax comes in
Modern income tax started with Pitt the Younger. As PM and Chancellor of the Exchequer, he was faced with shoring up the nation’s coffers for the war with Napoleon. In Pitt’s1798 budget, he introduced the tax and it came into force on 9 January 1799. Levied at one per cent on annual incomes above £60,… Continue reading #OTD 9 January – Tax comes in
#OTD 8 January – Democrat/ic Day
8 January is a day for the US Democratic Party. It was founded on this day in 1828, 26 years before the Republican Party. For those curious about the party’s reputation for matters economic, on 8 January 1835 the party’s first president, Andrew Jackson, announced a dinner to celebrate the reduction of the US national… Continue reading #OTD 8 January – Democrat/ic Day
#OTD 7 January – The greater good
The extent to which liberal democracy tolerates those with views regarded as inimical to liberal democracy is an issue ever with us. One argument goes along the lines “The freedom of all is greater than the freedom of one”. Another goes goes along the lines “Democracy must protect form as well as substance and avoid… Continue reading #OTD 7 January – The greater good