I NOTE the trial of Iceland’s former Prime Minister Geir Haarde, accused of negligence in his handling of the 2008 financial crisis that severely undermined the Icelandic economy, has begun in Reykjavik.

Here in the UK the financial sector, on the back of Thatcher’s plundering of state assets, created a culture of rewarding failure and neglecting responsibility, encouraged by the hands-off approach of New Labour. The Conservativedominated Westminster government, shows a marked reluctance to regulate the excesses of the banking sector, perhaps it might prejudice future business relationships.

How refreshing it is to see an elected politician having to face real consequences for his actions.

Jonathan T Clark,
Lambert Street, Newport