The Flint Podcast

We now know who will form the next UK government. Starmer will head into the weekend leading a Labour government with a sizable parliamentary majority. However, while the most likely outcome of the election has been predicted for some time, there will still be business-critical lessons to learn from the results and the approach, we can expect the incoming government to take. In this Flint Podcast,...

Next week a new Government is expected to form in the most significant change of political leadership since 2010. This will, of course, have major implications for any business or investor in markets where there is a government interest. For many, it will mean a need to build new relationships and shift messaging. For some, it will mean new risks to manage, or new opportunities to grab.    Our pol...

Following a crushing defeat at the European election on 9 June, President Macron called a snap parliamentary election that will take place in two rounds on 30 June and 7 July. The result is uncertain but is likely to represent a watershed moment for French and European politics, with the far-right set to become the biggest party in the National Assembly. The election raises big questions for busin...

Last week, the UK’s three major parties launched their manifestos, setting out their policy pitch to voters. With the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives both a significant way behind in the polls, Labour’s was closely watched. Firstly, for the indications, it gives of what a Labour Government would do in power, and second, for any signs of unforced errors as the finish line nears.  Our expert pan...

With Labour’s Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicating she would wait for new fiscal forecasts before a post-election Budget eyes now turn to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). Their take on the UK’s economic prospects and what different party’s plans will mean for growth will play a critical role in determining the decisions the next Chancellor can take. As manifestos are finalised - e...

Rishi Sunak’s unexpected decision to call an election in July raises many immediate questions for business on matters such as the process from here, the fate of legislation, government decision-making, and engagement with politicians and civil servants. In this episode, our experts shed light on this. The discussion is chaired by Flint Partner, Kiran Horwich , and joined by Jacqui Smith , former L...

As part of our coverage of the EU’s 2024 transition , this episode will discuss the EU’s external actions in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment. In recent years, the war in Ukraine, global supply chain disruptions and growing trade tensions with both China and the US have profoundly shaken the EU’s belief in a multilateral, rules-based international order. As the continent approac...

Russian forces are on the offensive again. Putin has made significant changes to his defence and security team and is strengthening Russia’s relationship with China.   In the West, US support has resumed after months of delays, but upcoming US and EU elections mean that long-term support will remain a challenge. Switzerland will host a peace conference next month, although it still seems unlikely...

Welcome to the latest Flint podcast episode. In this call experts assess the fallout from last week’s UK local elections, the last major electoral test before the general election.   Flint Specialist Partners Sion Simon and Nikki Da Costa, join Partners Kiran Horwich and Matthew Hanney to examine the key results from the local and mayoral elections, the implications for the party leaders, and what...

A recent decision to water down key climate targets has led to the collapse of the governing agreement between the SNP and the Scottish Greens that was struck in 2021. This leaves the SNP as a minority administration, posing significant challenges over what can be achieved in Parliament. It also raises questions on the future direction of policy, particularly on areas that are already politically...

As part of our coverage of the EU’s 2024 transition , our latest episode features Flint experts discussing energy priorities and challenges, in the context of the upcoming elections in the EU and the UK. The European single market withstood an unprecedented energy crisis after Russia invaded Ukraine. While some parts of the Green Deal have been accelerated, it has also faced a strong backlash. Eur...

While the upcoming European Parliament elections will have more of an indirect impact on policymaking in general, the EU environment for the financial services industry will also be shaped by external factors such as competitiveness, macro-economic and fiscal pressures, geopolitical tensions, and the challenges and opportunities of new technologies. In the context of the Letta and Draghi reports,...

In this podcast, our experts discuss the Budget and its implications in greater depth, what it means for the Conservative and Labour parties and the political and economic impacts on the business community. Flint Partner Kiran Horwich hosts a discussion between:   Flint Specialist Partner and former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Theresa May on economic and industrial policy, Giles Wilkes   Fli...

In this podcast, our experts discuss the prospects ahead in 2024 as the military position of Ukraine worsens and the challenges to European security grow starker. We examine the situation on the ground, the military and political drivers of the conflict in 2024, how Western support will be affected by the US and EU elections and how the rest of the world is reacting. In particular, we ask whether...

In the second instalment of Geopolitics for Business, Flint director and former Australian diplomat Katie Whitting chairs a panel of Flint experts to discuss the outcome of the recent BRICS summit. They debate the significance of enlargement of the BRICS, whether China can succeed in turning this group into a counterweight to the G7, and what these changes could mean for business. Katie is joined...

In our first episode, we discuss the outcomes of the NATO summit that was held on 11 and 12 July in Vilnius, Lithuania. Flint Director and former French diplomat Francois-Joseph Schichan hosts the discussion between this month’s guests:  Sir Simon Fraser, Flint Managing Partner and former head of the UK Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service and; Sir Julian King , Specialist Partner and the last Br...

In this episode, our experts review Labour’s Business Conference which was held on the 1st of February. They examine the key announcements from Labour Leader Keir Starmer and the Shadow Cabinet. Our experts also look at Labour’s policy programme, its strategy for the general election, and what all of this means for a potential future Labour government.  Finally, our specialists discuss why this ma...

The second episode of the EU 2024 series, sheds light on the political and policy dynamics that shape the EU’s political transition. Our experts discuss the main scenarios that can be anticipated for the next European Parliament, Commission and Council – and how these could impact business. Hosted by Flint Director Anna Abela , the discussion will feature:   Flint Specialist Partner and former EU...

In this new podcast mini-series, Flint Global’s experts will shed light on the political dynamics and policy debates that will influence the outcome of the European Parliament elections and shape the EU’s post-2024 agenda. Hosted by Flint Director Anna Abela , the discussion features:   Flint Partner and former Chair of the Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets, Chris Fonteijn   Flint Se...

On Wednesday, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt delivered the Autumn Statement. With the General Election drawing closer, the Chancellor had to strike a balance between restoring the UK’s public finances, investing in growth and delivering a political boost for the Conservatives by responding to calls from his Party for tax cuts.  In this episode our experts discuss the Autumn Statement and its implicat...

This podcast is part of our Flint briefing series on the Israel-Hamas crisis and will offer listeners our analysis of developments in the conflict, the risks of escalation, diplomatic activity and the potential wider international consequences. Our previous call on ' The wider implications of the Hamas attack on Israel ' can be found here . The conflict in Gaza is set to continue, with w...

This podcast is part of our Flint briefing series on the Israel-Hamas crisis and will offer listeners our analysis of developments in the conflict, the risks of escalation, diplomatic activity and the potential wider international consequences. Our previous call on ' The wider implications of the Hamas attack on Israel ' can be found here . The conflict in Gaza is set to continue, with w...

Hamas‘ attack on Israel on Saturday is a very serious political, geopolitical, and psychological shock. The situation on the ground is still developing. There will be further violence, and the attack will have widespread and enduring implications – for Israel, the wider region and global politics. In this podcast, Flint Partner Alex White hosts a discussion on the political, economic and security...

In this podcast, we examine the key announcements and speeches from Labour Leader Keir Starmer and the Shadow Cabinet. As well as, Labour’s emerging policy programme, its strategy for the general election, and what all of this means for a potential future Labour government.  Finally, we discuss why this matters for business and what are the key points to watch in the weeks and months ahead.    Par...