Stockholm Network - Criticism

Criticism

Some anti-globalisation groups have criticised the SN for receiving corporate funding or being a "corporate-funded campaigning group".

More recently, similar criticisms have also been voiced:

Alex Singleton (Daily Telegraph/Globalisation Institute):

"It called on the government 'to formulate a cohesive and creative industrial policy to reverse the current trend of decline and international displacement in pharmaceutical manufacturing,' even though free marketeers normally campaign against the whole concept of having industrial policies, believing that decisions about what to invest in should be left to the market."

Johan Norberg (Cato Institute/ex-Timbro):

"Alex Singleton reveals that the free-market group Stockholm Network demands more government funding and subsidised energy prices for the pharmaceutical industry, so that they can cope with the financial crisis. What´s next? Will free-marketeers demand nationalisation of the drug companies in return for preferred shares?"

Stockholm Network Director, Helen Disney, responded as follows:

"The Stockholm Network is not calling, and never would call, for a 'bail out' of the UK pharmaceutical industry. These words are not used anywhere in the paper being cited."

"The report is far from being in favour of state intervention. In fact, the authors argue for reducing corporation tax, simplifying tax rules and reducing legislation and regulation. The reference to industrial policy concerns ideas for making the UK economy more competitive in global markets."