1. Theresa May, Brexit and the 2017 General Election: The Political Suicide of an Economic Policy Agenda

3. Presentation Organisation
Part One – Economic Policy Agenda prior to 2017 General Election
Objectives for Economic Policy
Narrative of ‘Works for all’
Two case-studies of May government economic policy agenda
Part Two - Post 2017 General Election
Political Barriers
What if?

4. The Economic Policy Objectives of the May government
To deliver Brexit
‘Brexit means Brexit’
Hard Brexit
To develop a novel economic policy programme
Political reasons

5. Narrative – ‘Works for All’
‘We need a bold, new positive vision for the future of our country – a vision of a country that works for not a privileged few but for every one of us’
‘Burning Injustices’
November 2016 speeches

6. Institutional Dimensions
Industrial Strategy
Spatial Dimensions
Sectoral Dimensions
Institutional Dimensions
“Works for All”

7. Fiscal Rules and Infrastructure Investment
New fiscal rules introduced
Looser fiscal policy
Allowed space for infrastructure investment
But not end of austerity
Infrastructure investment
National Productivity Investment Fund

8. Politics and the Queens Speech and Brexit
Queens speech emblematic of May’s political weakness.
Break down in relations with DUP
Backbench rebellions
Unwilling to take on traditional political allies
Impact of Brexit on economy and public finances expected to be serious negative shock.
Likely coupled with considerable rise in borrowing
Brings tensions with industrial strategy and infrastructure investment, both needs serious cash.
Conflict with fiscal rules.