Confidence
Lord Heseltine agreed. “There is no army of people looking to increase their debt,” he stated, also asserting that this is reasonable in a time of low confidence.
In such a context, Heseltine argued, it becomes ever more important to effectively stimulate competitive spirit. He is confident that his plan to deliver regional business funding, won in competition between 39 local enterprise partnerships, is an effective way of doing this, if coupled with better capability in the nationwide network of the British Chambers of Commerce and sector trade bodies. The UK compares unfavourably with European peers when it comes to the clout and strategic alignment of these networks.
Heseltine’s plan for growth is driven by a belief that the UK must raise its average business performance. “It is easy to find examples of excellence in Britain,” he said. “But the global economy will judge us on our average.”
Negativity ill received
The positivity of Jim O’Neill and Lord Heseltine was well received by most delegates in stark contrast to the negative campaigning of shadow Chancellor Ed Balls. While delegates welcomed news that Sir John Armitt has been tasked with finding ways to reduce the impact of party political interests in long term policy making, most were doubtful that any real difference could be made to such an embedded aspect of British politics.
It was also observed that, while Mr Balls preached long termism and identified the need for an industrial strategy, he failed to acknowledge or respond to the strategy issued by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills last September. He also sidestepped a request from one delegate that Labour should adopt EEF’s industrial strategy, Route to Growth published in November.
Streisand
3. She Has a Gigantic Trophy Collection.
Streisand is the only artist ever to receive Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Directors Guild of America, Golden Globe, National Medal of Arts and Peabody Awards. Then there’s France’s Legion d’Honneur, the American Film Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award — oh, and she was the first female film director to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. The icon won the Best Actress Oscar for “Funny Girl” and picked up the other for Best Original Song for “Evergreen.” As far as her music, the “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers” singer’s works have been nominated for over 57 Grammy Awards. She won 15, including two special awards. And she has over 50 gold records.
4. She Is Diane Lane’s Stepmother-In-Law. Streisand has been married twice. Her first husband was actor Elliott Gould, with whom she had a son, Jason. In 1998, she married her second husband, actor James Brolin. She became stepmother to his two children, including actor Josh Brolin. When Josh married actress Diane Lane in 2004, Streisand became Lane’s step-mother-in-law. “[She] is an amazing woman,” Lane told Redbook. “I especially admire her gift for listening to people. If you go out for dinner with her, she’ll interview everyone in the restaurant.”
5. She Will Soon Appear on the Big Screen with … Seth Rogen. Streisand has worked with Hollywood legends from Robert Redford to Robert De Niro, but she has an interesting co-star in her next project: Seth Rogen! After showing off her comedy chops in the “Meet the Fockers” movies, she’ll again be going for laughs in the upcoming comedy “The Guilt Trip,” in which she plays Rogen’s mom.
What is your favorite Streisand movie or song? Let us know.