Lord Frost is stepping down as Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs. He took on the role just two months ago…
He said this morning:
“The Institute of Economic Affairs is a great organisation which has a real capacity to influence the debate about Britain’s economic future. I regret that personal commitments mean that I cannot lead it into that future, but I am delighted I will continue to be closely involved with its very important work in a different way as it moves forward.”
Lord Frost has been appointed the Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs. He will join the free market think tank in January, and will give up the Conservative whip to accept the position. The IEA’s getting Frosty…
He said this afternoon:
“I am delighted to be able to make the case for freedom from this new vantage point, as Director General of the IEA, one of Britain’s oldest, greatest, and certainly most pro-freedom think tanks. The IEA helped create the conditions for Britain’s free market revolution in the 1980s by refusing to compromise on its principles and by advocating them so clearly that they entered into the political bloodstream. That now needs to happen again if we are to defeat the current bleak outlook of statism and collectivism.
“The IEA is an educational charity and does not engage in party politics. Accordingly I will no longer take the Conservative whip in the Lords. I will continue to contribute there as a non-affiliated peer. I will not be joining any other party.
“I look forward to having even greater freedom to say what I think and (to adopt the famous phrase of FA Hayek) to argue ever more strongly against the socialists of all parties.”
Another win for Guido’s runners and riders series…
Tom Clougherty has stepped down as the IEA’s executive director, leaving a vacancy at the top of one of Westminster’s most influential free market think tanks. Whoever fills the spot will need a mix of serious policy nous and plenty of media experience. Someone who knows how to attract eyeballs to the IEA…
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of potential candidates. The IEA hasn’t yet opened its application portal, although the board is currently having informal conversations with potential candidates. Any wonk who fancies a punt still has time to polish their CV. It is, as usual, in no particular order…
Matthew Lesh – The Country Manager for Freshwater Strategy. A familiar face in wonk world, including at the IEA itself, where he rose to become Director of Public Policy and Communications. Still has one foot in the door as an IEA public policy fellow. Could he take that extra step?
David Frost – Understood to have narrowly missed out last time round, and expected to apply once again. Benefits from a high profile in SW1 and the requisite policy know-how…
Callum Price – Currently the IEA’s Director of Communications and a former SpAd across several briefs under the Tories, including the Home Office. Leading the IEA’s comms already is certainly helpful…
John King – The IEA’s Director of External Relations. Knows the place like the back of his hand, having first joined 13 years ago as an intern. Has useful experience in financial services…
Syed Kamall – Professor of Politics and International Relations at St Mary’s University and a shadow minister sitting in the Lords. An ex-MEP, government minister, and crucially the IEA’s former Academic and Research Director. A long resumé – does he fancy adding one more role to the list?
The likes of Steve Baker, Victoria Hewson, Chris Snowdon and Emma Revell have also circulated as potential candidates in Westminster gossip circles. Guido understands all four aren’t considering it. Though things can change…
The latest development in wonk world sees movement at the Institute of Economic Affairs. The free market think tank’s Public Policy and Communications Director Matthew Lesh is moving out of wonkery after defecting from the Adam Smith Institute and rising up the ranks at the IEA. Lesh is set to join Australian consultancy Freshwater Strategy, launched by personnel from Lynton Crosby’s CT Group, to head up its brand new London office. Don’t expect to see any less of the veteran wonk…
Last time the IEA hired internally for its communication director role. Colleagues across SW1 will be eyeing up the role…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”