Financial Times (March 24)
In Hong Kong, the Securities and Futures Commission “will not be able to keep an open mind for very long” on whether to allow dual-class shares. Since 1987, Hong Kong has abided by the “current one-share-one-vote principle.” Citing the weakness of corporate governance in Hong Kong, some investors want to retain the current system, while others are calling for change to better compete with U.S. listings where dual-class shares are allowed.
Tags: Corporate governance, Dual-class shares, Hong Kong, Investors, Listings, Securities and Futures Commission, U.S., Vote
New York Times (October 15)
“Monday’s vote suggests that Israel is increasingly seen as needing to do more to end the stalemate.” The British House of Commons “endorsed diplomatic recognition of a Palestinian state.” Though a symbolic gesture, “Israel and its allies should not ignore the message. The vote is one more sign of the frustration many people in Europe feel about the failure to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement despite years of promises.”
Tags: Allies, Europe, House of Commons, Israel, Palestine, Peace, Promises, Recognition, Stalemate, UK, Vote
Financial Times (October 1)
“For too long, Britain’s mainstream politicians and business leaders have been reluctant to make the positive case for the UK’s membership of the EU. It has become the subject that dares not speak its name.” This must change lest the UK carelessly vote away the benefits the EU brings. “Britain’s pro-Europeans can no longer be silent.”
Tags: Benefits, Britain, Business leaders, EU membership, Mainstream, Politicians, UK, Vote
The Scotsman (September 18)
“The people of Scotland will go to the polls in record numbers today.” They will decide “the future of Scotland and that of the 307-year-old United Kingdom.” This will be “the most important vote in the country’s history.”
Financial Times (September 16)
“Fears of disruption following a Scottish vote for independence and intensifying conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine have damaged prospects for the world economy,” according to the latest assessment of the OECD, which lowered growth forecasts for 2014 to 2.1% in the U.S., 0.9% in Japan and 0.8% in the eurozone.
Tags: Conflict, Disruption, Economy, eurozone, Independence, Japan, Middle East, OECD, Scotland, U.S., Ukraine, Vote
The Economist (August 16)
It looks increasingly like Scotland will vote against independence from the UK in the September 18 referendum. “The ‘no’ to independence campaign has a comfortable poll lead,” but this may not be the end of the story. Quebec engaged in what’s become known as a “neverendum” involving “decades-long deliberations over breaking from Canada.” So even if the Scots vote no, there “looms the prospect of a ‘neverendum.’ If unsuccessful, ‘yes’ campaigners could import that decades-long limbo to Britain.”
Tags: Britain, Campaigners, Canada, Independence, Limbo, Neverendum, Quebec, Referendum, Scotland, UK, Vote
New York Times (February 13, 2014)
On September 18, Scotland will vote on whether to go independent or remain in Great Britain, which also includes England, Wales and Northern Ireland. “As the countdown begins for the fateful vote, the Scots should certainly weigh the potential economic consequences, but also the pros and cons of dropping out of ‘Team G.B.’”
Tags: Cons, Consequences, England, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Pros, Scotland, Scots, Vote, Wales
