At last it’s over. Mr Blair has popped the designer underpants back in the chest of drawers at No 10 and Mr Hague, with a commendably stiff upper lip, has trooped off into the political sunset. At TTJ we are concerned that one consequence may be a certain Mr Portillo finding himself otherwise engaged and unable to be guest speaker at our Awards on September 13 (we’ll keep you informed). But that apart, now the die is cast for the next five years, everyone should be able to get back to business.
The outcome of the election might have been predictable, but it still caused a hiatus. Now it’s behind us, the pound is weakening at the sniff of a euro referendum and the weather seems to be on the turn, the indicators may start looking more positive. Of course the US slowdown still looms on the horizon but, while the country could yet talk itself into real recession, most bets seem to be on a softish, if bruising, economic landing.
The Construction Products Association also says the first post-election government reshuffle and reorganisation is potentially good news for business. Making the DTI ‘sponsoring’ department for construction, it says, should bring the needs of the sector more sharply into focus in Whitehall.
And while a few swallows do not a summer make, this week we have several more stories of companies faring pretty well in our compeititive market place. Palgrave Brown‘s turnover is up by nearly half; Benlowe reports pent up (rained off) demand from the spring finally feeding through to lift monthly sales over £1m; Timbmet Glasgow is investing heavily; and the MD of Haldane is so confident about the future of the business, he’s bought it.
And every cloud has a silver lining. If Mr Portillo is busy, perhaps Mr Hague will have a window on September 13.
