The debt crises that apparently threaten to engulf Paris and London are very, very different. Paris is in genuine financial and market trouble. London has a perception problem.

Both crises are rooted in political/fiscal miscalculations and the widening polarisation between political populism and conventional politics. The crisis in Paris is very real, but the one in London is largely driven by Doom-Scrolling financial misdirection of doubtful right-wing provenance, looking to snipe the centrist Labour govt.

Last week the Axis of Autocracy gathered to watch a spectacular military parade. Here in the West governments are tripping over themselves as politics become ever more polarised and ineffective. How should these factors inform investment decisions?

Athens and London? The power of positive politics is very evident in Greece. Curiously, the surprise appointment of David Cameron as UK Foreign Secretary might just hint at a positive outcome for the UK if it triggers a proper discussion on Brexit failure and our relationship with Europe.

Part 2 of the London Rent Crisis. London, and whole UK housing market, is broken. Demand greatly exceeds supply allowing rotten greedy landlords to game the system and abuse tenants. Can it be fixed – absolutely…

Outrageous rental increases and the naked greed of professional landlords will result in a dearth of young workers priced out of London. It will destroy the City’s economy and negatively impact the UK even more conclusively than the Luftwaffe, political mistakes, global banking crisis, pandemic or recession.