Free market thinks tanks are often subject to Twitterati attacks over the fact they protect the privacy of their donors, and leftie comedian Dom Joly proved exactly why on LBC’s Cross Questions last night. People like Joly would “100%” enjoy harassing them…
Responding to Joly’s interrogation, Matthew Lesh, Director of Communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs, explained:
“If we published a list of our supporters they would… be attacked, including… by people like yourself who disagree with us.”
'The implication of asking about where our funding comes from is that you think that I'm doing someone else's bidding.'
— LBC (@LBC) September 20, 2023
'That's exactly what I'm saying.'
Comedian @domjoly interrogates Institute of Economic Affairs' @matthewlesh over the funding of his think tank. pic.twitter.com/C5P4tOWWzi
If they were public, you can guarantee the likes of Extinction Rebellion and co would show up immediately…
The IEA’s Matthew Lesh says…
“Extending compulsory maths education is no silver bullet for economic growth. The Soviet Union was world-renowned for maths and science instruction but that failed to translate into a strong economy. Similarly, the UK has some of the top universities in the world yet has experienced stagnant growth for the last decade. Prosperity requires creating the right institutional environment for entrepreneurship, not dictating curriculums from the top.”
The latest wonk world reshuffle sees a promotion for Matthew Lesh, who is set to become the Institute of Economic Affairs’ (IEA) new Director of Public Policy and Communications. Lesh is currently the IEA’s Head of Public Policy, and is now taking over the communications team from Annabel Denham following her departure to the Telegraph. Despite competition from external applicants – with Guido hearing some Truss-era Number 10 staff eyed up the gig – the IEA have instead stuck with their own. Young commentator Reem Ibrahim has also recently joined the team as their new Communications Officer. Congratulations both…
ON THE AGENDA…
ON THE PANEL…
Forget Boris’s cabinet reshuffle, the changes going on among the Tufton Street Mafia make for much more interesting reading. Back in September Guido revealed the ASI’s Matt Kilcoyne had decided to depart as their deputy director. Guido now understands he’s to take up the role as director of Lord Hannan’s Initiative for Free Trade. Guido can’t think of a better pick…
That’s not the end of the ASI shake-up. Guido can reveal their head of research Matthew Lesh is defecting to the IEA to fill the role as their new head of public policy. Lesh says he’s “extremely excited to be joining the IEA” who “became a beacon of hope and inspiration to millions seeking freedom across the world” amid the post-war consensus. The IEA’s also been facing staff turnover recently following the departure of Emma Revell and Lord Kamall…
The government released new details today of a study on their impending bonkers ad ban, which, despite all previous evidence that such illiberal clampdowns don’t work, they hoped would justify the move. The government’s own research suggests an ad ban will reduce children’s calories consumption by just 2.8 calories per day.
2.8 calories per day per child would – assuming no exercise – add 1 pound per three and a half years – and all for the destruction of thousands of small and medium businesses, and depressing the advertising industry. Not only is a 2.8 calorie reduction pathetic, the ASI’s Matthew Lesh points out even this is likely to be an exaggeration:
“The review that the Government’s calculations are based on – Viner et. al (2019) – does not contain any studies that simulate a realistic environment in which children are exposed to ‘junk food’ advertisements. In all of the 11 studies included, children were allowed to consume an unlimited quantity of food at no cost and none featured parental supervision.”
The government’s figures also calculate the advertising market – for what Whitehall refers to as “high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS)” – is £438 million (59% of the total online food and drink advertising market) with a hit to online platforms of £271 million per year.
With around 11 million children from 5–18, the UK government is set to sacrifice £813 million of online advertising revenue in return for one pound lost per child. Turns out this weight loss malarkey isn’t as easy as just taking candy from a baby…
