Lucy Fisher, the FT's Whitehall editor and host of the Political Fix podcast, discusses key players in the UK Conservative Party leadership race. Tensions rise as two right-wing candidates emerge, each challenging the status quo on issues like immigration. The conversation shifts to Germany's economy, facing a daunting forecast of recession. Then, the talk turns to the U.S. government's serious consideration of breaking up Google to combat its monopolistic hold, raising questions about the future of search and competition in the tech industry.
The US government is considering breaking up Google to address monopolistic practices in the search market, reflecting ongoing antitrust efforts.
In the UK Conservative Party leadership race, candidates Kemi Badenock and Robert Jenrick symbolize a shift towards more right-wing politics after electoral setbacks.
Deep dives
HSBC's Cost-Cutting Strategy
HSBC's new CEO, George L. Hedery, is strategically merging its commercial and investment banking units to streamline operations and cut costs. This initiative is expected to save around $300 million, which reflects only a small percentage of the bank's total expenses from the previous year. Although the profit margins were previously boosted by rising interest rates, the declining rates now threaten the overall financial stability of the bank. This move represents just the beginning of Hedery's broader plan to address the cost pressures facing HSBC as it navigates tighter profit margins.
UK Conservative Party Leadership Dynamics
The leadership race of the UK Conservative Party has narrowed down to two right-wing candidates, Kemi Badenock and Robert Jenrick, both vying for the position after a significant electoral defeat. Badenock, a former business secretary, has gained attention for her controversial stances and intellectual critiques of party policies, while Jenrick, previously centrist, has shifted his focus to stringent immigration measures. The dynamics indicate a retreat to right-wing politics post-electoral failure, highlighting internal party pressures from emerging alternatives like the Reform UK party. As voting shifts to Tory members, the outcome will shape the future direction of a party grappling with a fractured identity.
HSBC’s top-paid bankers to bear the brunt of cost-cutting restructuring, and the UK Conservative party leadership race has been whittled down to two rightwingers. Plus, Germany’s economy is expected to shrink, and the US government is considering seeking the break-up of Google to end its monopoly in search.
The FT News Briefing is produced by Niamh Rowe, Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, Kasia Broussalian and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Breen Turner, Sam Giovinco, Peter Barber, Michael Lello, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our engineer is Joseph Salcedo. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. The show’s theme song is by Metaphor Music.