Today, I shall mostly be answering more questions oop Norf Laandon, before an evening of infecting the smarter, central part of the capital with my hedonistic self (yes, alcohol will be liberally involved).
In the meantime, ponder this ...
On 3 November 2008, Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling announced the creation of UK Financial Investments Limited (UKFI); a company wholly-owned by the Government. UKFI will manage the Government’s investments in financial institutions at arm’s length and on a commercial basis. UKFI’s overarching objectives are to protect and create value for taxpayers as shareholders; paying due regard to the maintenance of financial stablity (sic), and to act in a way that promotes competition.
... which, to my mind, doesn't square at all well with Lord Myners threatening to throw the government's weight around the RBS boardroom. Arms-length? Hmmm.
With Harman also frothing at the leash, there is a distinct odour of lefty politicians slavering at the thought of getting their claws stuck into bankers for the class-led joy of it, rather than necessarily for the good of the banking system itself.
