Comments for Tim Garratt's Blog

Comment on Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg by Tim GARRATT

Tim GARRATT — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:35:45 +0000

Precisely Richard – what have we achieved by dispensing of a Title? Precisely nothing …

Comment on Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg by Richard Baker

Richard Baker — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:24:50 +0000

Helen, banks may be guilty of many things, but the best we can hope for in RBS’s case is that it is returned to the kind of health that allows the public to make some kind of profit when the Government’s controlling stake is eventually sold.
Stripping Fred Goodwin of his knighthood and persuading his successor, Stephen Hester, to give up his bonus has arguably achieved the opposite – RBS’s share price fell partly as a result, meaning the taxpayer has in theory LOST money. And a lower share price hardly makes it easier to lend money to small businesses.
This is not a defence of reckless lending (though don’t forget the reckless borrowers on the other side of the equation) or the disastrous ABN Amro takeover.
But populist gesture politics is just as reckless, which is what I think Tim is trying to point out.

Comment on Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg by Tim GARRATT

Tim GARRATT — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:53:20 +0000

Helen, my point was that he was tried by the Press and the Politicians. I’m not sure what the point of him being stripped of his Title did? He made mistakes – did you know him to the extent that you could judge him as cavalier? Would the small businesses you refer to have gone out of business with other Banks (I don’t know!). And no I don’t have shares in RBS – or any other Banks…

Comment on Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg by Helen Brown

Helen Brown — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:41:32 +0000

Go talk to the people who have lost their business, houses and livelihoods because of Fred Goodwin’s cavalier behavior while boss of Royal Bank. He comes out with all his money, bonuses and titles leaving in his wake the ordinary person. His legacy is still putting small business out of business, he deserves everything he gets. You no doubt have shares in RBS!

Comment on Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg by Tim GARRATT

Tim GARRATT — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:49:06 +0000

Ah, but that didn’t make the papers Richard. I do wonder sometimes… This really has become an anti-business Government, not because they think its right, because they think its what the Sun reader wants to hear?

Comment on Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg by Richard Baker

Richard Baker — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:25:42 +0000

What fascinated me, Tim, was what happened after the Government strong-armed Stephen Hester into giving up a potential £963,000 bonus from RBS. This magnificent victory for the people was followed by a vertiginous plunge in RBS’s share price, meaning an enormous loss for its major shareholders…the people.
And you thought the City was short-termist…

Comment on Pay caps? – rules for one to apply to all? by Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg « Tim Garratt's Blog

Fred the Shred – the tip of the Iceberg « Tim Garratt's Blog — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:48:49 +0000

[...] return to my previous view – we have started to live in a very polarised society where we seem to turn working folks [...]

Comment on Musical Tastes? by Tim GARRATT

Tim GARRATT — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 14:39:15 +0000

well spotted….

Comment on Musical Tastes? by S Dare

S Dare — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:55:41 +0000

I never realised he was on that track! Great voice as well! (Paul Young)

Comment on Where will the sun be? by Tim GARRATT

Tim GARRATT — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:10:43 +0000

No, but I will take a look, SunCalc is brilliant….