Tim Worstall

These people are insane: …that markets assume that natural capital (such as ecosystems and resources) can be substituted by man-made capital (e.g. infrastructure, machines, etc.), which is in general not the case. Oh well, better knock down all the sewage plants then as infrastructure and machines cannot be used to replace the natural capital of [...]

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The Irish Greens’ attempts to portray the EU as a paragon of ecological wisdom are at variance with a new report by Friends of the Earth. It shows how Europe is the highest net importer of natural resources of all continents. At a total of three tonnes for every head of population per year, the [...]

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She admitted that tax havens were not one of the main causes of the global economic crisis but that there was now a “chance to do something about them”. She said: “It’s certainly an opportunity to deal with a sticking point that has been with us for a long time. That’s the French finance minister. [...]

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Researchers examining the link between sexual habits and alcohol consumption among 3,000 women found that half preferred sex after a tipple. Women said alcohol helped them lose their inhibitions and become more adventurous between the sheets. The study found that 75 per cent of women like to drink a glass of wine or two immediately [...]

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Here. Something about Lib Dems and Nazis….but no one ever fantasized about being tied up and violated by a liberal, did they?

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At The American. GDP is not all that great a measure of the true wealth in a place so let’s replace it with The Worstall Standard.

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OK, so let’s have PR then: The Vote for a Change coalition for proportional representation makes the crucial link between the scandal and the need for a Westminster clearout: safe seats for life create a culture of complacency and corruption. Righty ho, so, what form of PR does Polly favour? or change to the alternative [...]

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It appears to have been carrying drums of nuclear waste when the mafia used explosives to scuttle it. The informant, Francesco Fonti, said his clan had been paid £100,000 to get rid of it. What makes this story interesting is that the waste appears to be Norwegian. Norway is famous for its tough environmental laws, [...]

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D’ye think he actually knows what pluralism means? Progressives in all these parties are committed to greater equality and dealing with the challenge of climate change, but the binding value is pluralism. We recognise the value of difference, distinct histories and tradition but are using them to develop a shared project that is stronger because [...]

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The ban on smoking in public places could reduce heart attacks by more than a third in some parts of the world, say researchers. Two independent health reviews have found that heart attack rates dropped steeply in areas where bans have been introduced, with one reporting 36% fewer cases three years after smoke-free legislation came [...]

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The British Airways chief executive, Willie Walsh, will unveil an agreement between airlines, airports and aircraft companies to cut emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2050. Now I have to declare an interest here. There are at least three projects which I supply weird metals to which are working on reducing the fuel usage [...]

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You know, they might have fired too many of their sub-editors. And I say this not simply because I know two who have left: French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, one of the staunchest proponents, has admitted he would be willing to accept an agreement that does not include bonus caps. I rather think he elevated [...]

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Trolling though YouTube in the background while doing a boring job I found this. Yes, rock and roll bagpipes. There’s even a bagpipe/guitar double solo. They really were on the booze those lads, weren’t they?

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At the ASI. Taking localism seriously.

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Not even the most extreme anti-state slasher thinks the books can be balanced only by expenditure reductions. Lots of us do actually. So, wrong assumption, do not pass go, do not collect £200. The rest of your piece is simply nonsense precisely because you make that incorrect assumption. Here’s a plan to warm the hearts [...]

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Anyone actually know what the tax treatment of local currencies like the Briston Pound, or Totnes Pound, the Lewes whatever it is is? Are transactions free from VAT? Income free of income tax? NI?

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We’re going to see this all over the place: Scrappage has led to an estimated 20pc boost in sales, and is turning out to be a money spinner for the Treasury. This is because the amount of VAT the Government recoups on many of the deals is greater than the £1,000 subsidy it gives to [...]

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David Cameron might be able to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty because the Czech Republic will probably delay its ratification of the agreement until after a general election in Britain, European Union leaders have been told. But Davey Boy doesn’t want to have a referendum. It scares the faecal matter out of him. [...]

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Under the proposals, the current income tax threshold would be raised to £10,000 which would mean four million low paid workers and pensioners would no longer have to pay any income tax. That’s the good news, although for both logical and moral reasons it should be linked to the minimum wage full time, full year [...]

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Those who assist a friend or relative to end their lives on compassionate grounds will not be prosecuted, however, it will still be a crime to act as “ringleader” or “organiser” of the death of a person who has been “vulnerable to manipulation”. No, I know, slippery slope arguments can be a failure of logic: [...]

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