Is even David Cameron coming round to Brexit? - EXPRESS COMMENT
A COUPLE of days ago he was spotted at Disneyland Paris. And now David Cameron has been sighted in another fairy-tale realm: Davos. He was filmed at the World Economic Forum in conversation with steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal.
They were talking about Brexit and our arch Remainer former prime minister was heard to say that it was a “mistake but not a disaster”, adding: “It’s turned out less badly than we thought.”
Before the referendum took place in June 2016 the Remain campaign, backed by the Conservative government, warned of the catastrophic economic repercussions that would follow a vote to leave. Unemployment, we were told, would soar.
Whereas the truth is that unemployment is now at a new low and the economy has continued to thrive.
Earlier this week former minister Lord O’Neill also admitted that the boost to the global economy would dwarf any adverse effects of Brexit.
It is five years since David Cameron agreed to hold a referendum on EU membership.
At the time it seemed the only way that his party could fight off the growing popularity of Ukip and undoubtedly contributed to the Conservatives winning the 2015 general election.
But Mr Cameron did not have much wriggle room.
Yet if had negotiated more vigorously with Brussels before this and won meaningful agreements on border controls it is possible that staying in the EU would have seemed a palatable option for voters.
But that, as they say, is history.
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Pensioners show restraint
Pensions Freedom Day in April 2015 was met with deep anxiety by many experts and members of the government.
Former minister Steve Webb famously feared that gung-ho pensioners would rush off to spend their newly available money on Lamborghinis.
Meanwhile others warned that the over-55s would fall prey to fraudsters: the implication being, as ever, that ordinary people are too stupid to handle their financial affairs.
Since 2015 almost £16billion has been cashed in with the average withdrawal per person being £7,596.
All the indications are that most savers have shown restraint and good sense as this newspaper foresaw.
The government should be commended for giving people the right to do what they want with their own money.
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End of Yellow Brick Road
Sir Elton John has announced that after one last world tour he will no longer go on the road.
It represents the end of an era even for fans who have never seen him perform live.
We wish him well.