Lord Hannan Takes the Reins at IEA

When it comes to economic outcomes (and much else), Britain is in rough shape. The U.K. needs a stronger commitment to free markets, free people, and dynamism -- and to the policies that will advance those commitments.

So it was great to wake up this morning to the news that Daniel Hannan, Lord Hannan of Kingsclere, will become director general and Ralph Harris Fellow of the Institute of Economic Affairs in June.

The IEA is Britain's oldest free-market, free-society think tank, founded in 1955, with Friedrich Hayek present at the creation.

Who better to lead the IEA at the crucial time than Lord Hannan? I can think of no one.

In Hannan's words:

“Public spending and taxation are higher now than they were in 1955. We are back to the fatal conceit, the idea that politicians, bureaucrats and planners know best.

“Just like the IEA’s founders, we need to change people’s minds, to open people’s eyes. The route to national prosperity, now as then, is through deregulation, free trade, sound money and low spending. It’s not just the politicians we need to convince; it’s not even primarily the politicians. When voters understand the case for smaller government, MPs follow.

“I am so grateful to every one of my predecessors, from Ralph Harris, who inspired me as a teenager, to David Frost, whom I am proud to call my friend. They kept the flame burning. Now it is time to heap up the fire.”

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