The BBC were on the phone early this morning seeking my views on Boris Johnson’s ‘greed is good speech’. Here is a press release on what I had to say on the matter . . . .
Multi-millionaire businessman Kevin Green today gave
a cautious welcome to London Mayor Boris Johnson’s ‘greed is good speech’.
“As with all things from the mouth of Boris, his
speech was a bit of a curate’s egg – good in parts,” Green said.
“You can agree with some of what he says, but
strongly disagree with the rest of it.”
Boris Johnson used the annual Margaret Thatcher
lecture to declare that inequality is essential to fostering ‘the spirit of
envy’ and hailed greed as a ‘valuable spur to economic activity’.
The London mayor called for the ‘Gordon Gekkos of London’
to display their greed to promote economic growth.
Johnson said: “I don't believe that economic
equality is possible; indeed some measure of inequality is essential for the
spirit of envy and keeping up with the Joneses that is, like greed, a valuable
spur to economic activity.”
But he added: “I hope there is no return to the
spirit of ‘loads-a-money’ heartlessness – figuratively riffling banknotes under
the noses of the homeless. And I hope that this time the Gordon Gekkos of
London are conspicuous not just for their greed, valid motivator though greed
may be for economic progress, as for what they give and do for the rest of the
population, many of whom have experienced real falls in their incomes over the
last five years.”
Burry Port based Green, 50, runs a massive private
property portfolio and other enterprises in a number of business sectors.
He said: “Boris is always entertaining and provocative.
“Greed is a vice and no-one with a moral compass
should be advocating that.
“But there is nothing wrong in having a passion and
a highly-tuned enthusiasm for making money.
“Money makes the world go round and anyone who makes
lots of money can use that money carefully to sow the seeds for other businesses
and people to develop and generate more wealth in the economy.
“I work as a wealth coach helping inspire other
people to become millionaires. There is nothing wrong in being ambitious and
wanting more wealth for yourself. But you also have to be tuned in to the real
world and appreciate there are people out there less fortunate than yourself.
“I work closely with selected charities such as the
Make A Wish foundation. Generating money is fine as long as it is linked to
your passion in life. Helping others is also important.
“I was once homeless and I know what it is like to
be looking for the next crust. I am a self-made millionaire and am proud of
what I have achieved. But I also recognise and appreciate that there are people
less fortunate than myself.
“Being enthusiastic and passionate about your work
is fine. Being greedy is something else.
“I work very closely with young business people as a
Big Ideas role model for the Welsh Government. I like to talk to young budding
entrepreneurs and stress to them that it is only right and proper to operate
with strong ethical standards and a strong moral compass in the current economic
climate.”
