The harms done to the UK’s economy and reputation by Brexit have been compounded by the pandemic, Ukraine and the cost of living crisis. At the same time the country is suffering an absence of competent leadership and a collapse of trust in government. Remorse over the Northern Ireland Protocol is raising the threat of political instability and trade war with our nearest neighbours.
To discuss the crisis: John Alderdice, Baron Alderdice, of Knock in the City of Belfast is a former Northern Ireland politician. As Leader of the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland he played a significant role in negotiating the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, and when the Northern Ireland Assembly was elected, he became its first Speaker. Since 1996 has sat in the House of Lords as a Liberal Democrat.
And Vicky Pryce, one of our best-known economic commentators. Her recent posts have included: Senior Managing Director at FTI Consulting; Director General for Economics at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS); and Joint Head of the UK Government Economics Service where she was responsible for evidence based policy and for encouraging measures that promoted greater productivity in the UK economy. She co-founded GoodCorporation, a company set up to promote corporate social responsibility.
