Building a New Economy
Chaired by Clare Cowen
Bruce Mauleverer QC – The International Law Association
Aeron Davis – Professor of Political Communication, Goldsmiths
Helen Mercer – Lecturer in Economics
Oliver Lewis – Campaigner
Full audio recording (1h 12m).
See below for start times of sections.
Introduction
Clare Cowen
STARTS AT 00:00
International Law and Enforcement of Human Rights.
Bruce Mauleverer QC (Read by Bob Barrett)
STARTS AT 00:25
In the absence of an effective supranational force for the enforcement of international law, enforcement of human rights locally can help not only to avoid conflicts (such as those in Syria, the Ukraine and Colombia) but also to make the resolution of such conflicts easier and more likely.
Bruce practised at the bar for 30 years and is a Member and Patron of the International Law Association.
Read a transcript here.
Bring Back British Rail
Oliver Lewis
STARTS AT 08:20
Privatising the railways was supposed to save the government money and
make the railways more efficient. In fact, what happened was that
British Rail became a herd of over a hundred milk-cows for private
profiteers, milking customers and taxpayers alike. When an industry is
an obvious and natural monopoly, doomed to heavy dependence upon the
public purse, it is irrational and unjust to add private profit to the
massive and necessary expenses involved. The railway must work for
everybody: British Rail must be brought back!
Oliver is spokesman for the ‘Bring Back British Rail’ lobbying group, and Chair of St John’s Society.
What Has the Financial System Ever Done For Us?
Aeron Davis
STARTS AT 18:32
Financial services make most of their profit through speculation, driving up asset prices – housing is a good example. This is parasitic on the real economy. Through taxation, regulation and law, we should make speculation less profitable, and productive investment more profitable.
Aeron is professor of Political Communication at Goldsmiths. To get the real economy working again for ordinary people, he believes the City needs to be properly exposed and confronted.
View the Powerpoint presentation here.
Read a transcript here.
The Private Finance Initiative: How to End the Rip-Off
Helen Mercer
STARTS AT 30:53
During the 1990’s, the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) enlisted the private sector to provide the finance for new public infrastructure. PFI contracts also saw the privatisation of support services such as maintenance and cleaning. PFIs provide guaranteed value and returns to private equity firms, banks and investment funds. Ultimately such returns may end up in tax havens. Helen explains the process by which profits are siphoned off from public services into private profits via ‘Special Purpose Vehicles’ (SPVs). She proposes to end this scam by nationalising the SPVs.
Helen is an associate senior lecturer in economics, a member of People vs Barts PFI, and a founder member of the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign.
View the Powerpoint presentation here.
Questions and Discussion
STARTS AT 43:25
Festival Closing Remarks
STARTS AT 01:04:12
Links to other Pages:
Session 1: Participation and Democracy
Session 2: A Fairer World
Session 3: An Inclusive Society