The Banking Commission's report Changing Banking for Good has finally arrived.

Was it a surprise? Given how much of its content has been trailed in the media for the last 10 days, there wasn't perhaps much new left for us to read.

The extent of the leaking, and the...

As we approach the annual spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF this weekend in Washington, there remains significant uncertainty around the globe on economic growth and the soundness of our financial system.

Events in Cyprus, continual sluggish growth in the eurozone, the threat of a global currency...

The reaction of the Cypriot people to their planned bank bailout has been exemplary so far.

Democratic, non violent protest which lawmakers in Cyprus and across Europe have had no choice but to listen to.

And thank goodness they are - at last - listening to the voters.

It cannot...

Small political earthquake in Hampshire - that's that tone of much of the commentary about the Eastleigh by election on Friday.

And it's fair comment too.

It was hardly surprising all three main parties wanted a rapid poll. The circumstances which created the poll were dreadful for the Lib Dems...

If you were at all unsure about David Cameron's commitment on IN or OUT of the EU - you only needed to listen or read some of the Prime Minister's closing words in this most hyped of speeches.

"If we left the EU it would be a one way ticket...

Is it me - or don't you just feel that 2012 is going out with a whimper rather than a bang?

As I write this the world is supposed to have ended. While Mayan observers predicted the end of the world on 21 December, it seems many Britons went into...

Many of the risks in the year ahead could be the result of what might be characterised as drift.

This applies in two senses: First, a lack of leadership and political will that leaves nations and regions without a clear strategy to solve serious long-term challenges. And second, in...

Im just back from Washington and a week up close and personal with US politics.

Fo me the US electoral results, at least on a macro, national level, showed a rejection of super PAC politics. More money was spent in this campaign than any other before.

And, with the...

I'm spending the last few days of the US Campaign in Washington and New York.

Washington - politically becalmed. New York - the eye of this storm.

While all my travels plans have been working fine [Amtrak is returning to normal today on the Washington to New York line] -...

To what extent should banking be a metaphor for how our society works? Should finance be run like a business in the interest of its shareholders? Or is it such a significant wealth provider that it must or should be done in the social 'good'?

In a climate of...

An appeal to wallet, heart and flag - the cornerstone of David Cameron's message to the Tory faithful in Brum - in the heart of Middle Britain.

This week the Prime Minister discovered the 'strivers'. They used to be called 'blue collar' Britain. The complaint has been he has not...

No notes, no autocue - today in Manchester we got the 'real' Ed not Red Ed.

A Labour leader evoking Disraeli? Wow!

In one of the most powerful party conference speeches in recent years - Ed Miliband reminded me of the powerful oratory David Cameron employed in 2005 and 2007...

Just what is the authentic voice of the party members anymore at conference?

With only two party conference seasons left after this year's gathering before the General Election - Conservatives are getting increasingly nervous about whether or not Plan A will work in time for the next poll.

David Cameron's first cabinet reshuffle since the General Election is marked by the continuity at the top of Government.

There is no change at the top (George Osborne, William Hague, Teresa May, Philip Hammond and Vincent Cable all stay in place) but this was the approach we always knew would...

No doubt in my mind - I have witnessed Britain's best sporting day ever.

So lucky to be in the Olympic Stadium on 4 August 2012 - I sang my heart out with 80,000 others to the National Anthem as Jess Ennis received her Heptathlon Gold.

I shouted as far...

Danny Boyle will etch himself on my life and the lives of millions in the UK.

His panoramic sweep of Britain was masterful in directing the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

He showcased a confident Britain that has brought to the world - agriculture, industry, sports, music, art - hey the world...

This weeks results from Apple were amazing - and the market reaction equally so.

I am no tech geek - infact I'm pretty good with the on/off switch but... growth of almost 30% in Apple's iPhone sales is a pretty amazing financial feat.

And this at a time when the...

So the government announced its White Paper on social care.

This legislation is hugely significant because it begins to identify how much individuals need to cover themselves and how much the state should be willing to provide on top.

With local councils spending more and more on adult and social...

Angela Merkel rushed off from this week's EU Summit without commenting on the deal done to shore up the financial system.

Hardly surprising - other EU leaders like Ireland's Enda Kenny have described this as a "seismic shift" in policy - and we all know who he was talking about...

We might have just seen Greece and Europe step back from the brink this weekend.

The vast majority of the Greek people always believed their future lies firmly in Europe. All the main parties in this weekend's re-run election from New Democracy to Syriza firmly represented that view.

But Greek...