ABSTRACT
The blame for the prolonged period of economic stagnation has been placed partially on badly prescribed policies,9 however the actions of governments towards financial services before, during and after the financial crisis would suggest that the policies were not simply short-sighted, but were, in fact, intended to promote the financial sector and foster an attractive environment for its development (for, as Joseph Stiglitz says, the economic crisis was something that was allowed to happen).10 This article seeks to demonstrate that despite the UK being a signatory to all the aforementioned conventions (and many others; perhaps too numerous to name) the actions of policymakers in fact suggest that business interests are better protected by policy and law11 than any of the purported human rights enshrined in those treaties and covenants.
