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Simon Lee

Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Hull

Simon Lee lectures in political economy. He is responsible for the introduction of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in global political economy and globalisation and governance in the Department.

He has written two books on the ideas and policies of Gordon Brown: Boom and Bust: The Politics and Legacy of Gordon Brown (Oxford: Oneworld, 2009), which was a second and updated edition of Best for Britain? The Politics and Legacy of Gordon Brown (Oxford: Oneworld, 2007). His next single –authored monograph will be The State of England: The Nation We’re In (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011).

His most recent book is the first published study of the Cameron-Clegg Government. It is the fourth book co-edited with Dr Matt Beech, and produced by the Centre for Political Economy in partnership with the Centre for British Politics. The previous works were The Brown Government: A Policy Evaluation (London: Routledge, 2010), TheConservatives under David Cameron: Built to Last (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009), and Ten Years of New Labour (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2008).

He has previous co-authored (with Andrew Cox and Joe Sanderson) The Political Economy of Modern Britain (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 1997), and also edited (with Stephen McBride) Neo-Liberalism, State Power and Global Governance (Dordrecht: Springer, 2007), and (with Maurice Mullard) The Politics of Social Policy in Europe (Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, 1997). He has contributed chapters to twenty other edited collections.

His articles have been published in New Political Economy, The Political Quarterly, Local Economy, Policy Studies, Public Policy and Administration, Policy and Society, and Public Money and Management.

He is currently working on Globalisation: A Beginner’s Guide (Oxford: Oneworld, 2011), and (with Richard Woodward)Understanding States and Markets: An Introduction to Political Economy (London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012).

Boris Johnson has ended the age of austerity – but his party isn't on board

Oct 31, 2021 23:32 pm UTC| Politics

As the Conservative party wrestled with its future direction towards the end of the 1970s, Margaret Thatchers think tank, the Centre for Policy Studies, published a pamphlet of speeches by its co-founder, Keith...

Three reasons why Boris Johnson's promise to revitalise the north could come back to haunt him

Jan 18, 2020 12:06 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

For his forthcoming Budget on March 11, Chancellor Sajid Javid has promised to unleash Britains potential uniting our great country, opening a new chapter for our economy and ushering in a decade of renewal. This was on...

Theresa May requests short Brexit extension: how to understand this reckless move

Mar 21, 2019 13:14 pm UTC| Insights & Views

Before the October 1964 general election, Harold Wilson was reported to have stated a week is a long time in politics. Never has that maxim been truer than in relation to the politics of Brexit and the publication of...

Every election, politicians ignore England – here's why

May 05, 2017 14:45 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics

In UK general elections, England matters. It accounts for 82% or 533 out of 650 constituencies in the national parliament. At the 2015 general election, 318 (or 96%) of the Conservatives 330 seats were won in England, as...

Plough on or change to win? Theresa Mays progressive dilemma

Jan 14, 2017 03:21 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics

Modern British history tells us that when a government minister becomes prime minister between elections, rather than by winning one, they confront a strategic political and ideological balancing act. They must...

Economy

Threading Opportunity: How an India–EU FTA Could Reweave Textile Fortunes

After almost 18 years of negotiations, an IndiaEU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) recently reconfirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is getting closer. Targeted for early 2026 completion, the deal could...

Yen Stays Under Pressure After BOJ Decision as Dollar Slides on Geopolitical Jitters

The Japanese yen remained rangebound on Friday after the Bank of Japan kept interest rates unchanged, a move widely anticipated by markets, while the U.S. dollar headed for its steepest weekly decline in a year amid...

BOJ Holds Interest Rates Steady, Upgrades Growth and Inflation Outlook for Japan

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept interest rates unchanged on Friday, a decision that aligned with market expectations, while delivering a more optimistic outlook for Japans economic growth and inflation. The central bank left...

Gold Nears $5,000 as Precious Metals Surge on Geopolitical Uncertainty

Gold prices surged to unprecedented levels during Asian trading on Friday, edging closer to the closely watched $5,000 per ounce milestone as escalating geopolitical uncertainty and a weakening U.S. dollar fueled strong...

Oil Prices Rebound on Iran Tensions as Supply Risks and U.S. Inventory Data Shape Markets

Oil prices rebounded on Friday after sharp losses a day earlier, driven by renewed geopolitical tensions involving Iran and concerns that potential military action could disrupt global oil supplies. Brent crude futures for...

Politics

Trump Explains Bruised Hand, Cites High Aspirin Intake During Davos Trip

U.S. President Donald Trump recently addressed public speculation surrounding a noticeable bruise on his left hand, attributing it to his regular intake of high-dose aspirin combined with a minor accident during his trip...

Colombia Suspends Electricity Exports to Ecuador as Trade and Security Dispute Escalates

Colombia has announced it will suspend electricity sales to Ecuador and impose a 30% tariff on 20 Ecuadorian products, escalating a growing trade and security dispute between the neighboring countries. The move follows...

Somaliland President Meets Eric Trump and Israeli President at Davos to Seek Recognition and Investment

The president of Somaliland used the global spotlight of the World Economic Forum in Davos this week to push for international recognition and attract foreign investment to the self-declared East African nation. President...

Trump Launches U.S.-Led Board of Peace to Oversee Gaza Ceasefire and Expand Global Role

U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a new international body called the Board of Peace, initially aimed at stabilizing Gazas fragile ceasefire but envisioned to play a broader role in global conflict resolution....

United States Officially Exits World Health Organization, Raising Global Public Health Concerns

The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), marking a significant shift in global health policy that experts warn could harm public health both domestically and worldwide. The...

Science

NASA and SpaceX Target Crew-11 Undocking From ISS Amid Medical Concern

NASA has confirmed that the agency, in coordination with SpaceX, is targeting no earlier than 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2200 GMT) on Wednesday, January 14, for the undocking of the SpaceX Crew-11 mission from the International...

Neuralink Plans High-Volume Brain Implant Production and Fully Automated Surgery by 2026

Elon Musks brain-computer interface company Neuralink is preparing for a major expansion, announcing plans to begin high-volume production of its brain implant devices and transition to a fully automated surgical procedure...

Jared Isaacman Confirmed as NASA Administrator, Becomes 15th Leader of U.S. Space Agency

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman as the new NASA administrator, making him the 15th leader in the agencys history. The confirmation, which took place on Wednesday, marks...

Senate Sets December 8 Vote on Trump’s NASA Nominee Jared Isaacman

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee announced it will vote on December 8 on President Donald Trumps renewed nomination of private astronaut and tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA. Isaacman, known for his...

NASA Cuts Boeing Starliner Missions as SpaceX Pulls Ahead

NASA has significantly scaled back Boeings Starliner program after years of technical issues and delays, announcing that the next Starliner mission to the International Space Station (ISS) will fly without astronauts. The...

Technology

Ericsson Plans SEK 25 Billion Shareholder Returns as Margins Improve Despite Flat Network Market

Swedens telecom equipment giant Ericsson announced plans to significantly boost shareholder returns after reporting a sharp rise in net cash and continued margin improvements, even as the global mobile network market...

Microsoft Restores Microsoft 365 Services After Widespread Outage

Microsoft confirmed on Friday that it has fully restored access to its Microsoft 365 productivity suite following a widespread service outage that disrupted users across multiple regions, particularly in North America. The...

Tesla Plans FSD Subscription Price Hikes as Autonomous Capabilities Advance

Teslas Full Self-Driving (FSD) software is set to become more expensive over time as its technology improves, according to CEO Elon Musk. The announcement comes as Tesla Inc. continues its transition away from a one-time...

ByteDance Finalizes Majority U.S.-Owned TikTok Joint Venture to Avert American Ban

TikToks Chinese parent company, ByteDance, has finalized a landmark agreement to establish a majority American-owned joint venture aimed at safeguarding U.S. user data and avoiding a nationwide ban on the popular...

Intel Stock Slides Despite Earnings Beat as Weak Q1 Outlook Raises Concerns

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) shares plunged 13.4% on Thursday after the semiconductor giant delivered a weaker-than-expected outlook for the first quarter, overshadowing its better-than-anticipated fourth-quarter...