Some inspired appointments

When the Conservatives had the ex fireplace salesman as Minister for Education my grandson asked how we could have an Education Minister who had never even been a teacher. He was seven at the time. I think he will approve of some of these choices.

I couldn’t be happier 😍 I’ve followed this families work with ex prisoners for years 👏👏👏👏
We need more people like this family.

Blinko

Looking like a good start all round. Long may it continue. Best to ignore the thread about Ms Rayners outfit, though.

Oh, I dunno. Silly threads have their place. That one, which I took with many pinches of salt, brought me out of a grief induced doldrum today.

Impressed by Starmer's cabinet. Most have been shadow ministers for some years and know their brief.

The new appointments via the House of Lords are all experts in their fields which makes a lot of sense.

Although I favour abolishing the HoL, I think that while it exists, this is a good use of it.

I'm pleased about the Timpson appointment too. He seems to have some sensible ideas about helping to prevent the need for so many prison places, based on what works in oher countries and on his own experience with ex-prisoners.

🤦‍♀️

Since Pope Francis was elected in 2013, do you not think it is time we just forgot about the occasional crass remark made by someone in the news over 10 years ago.

Although to be fair, I do think David Lammy has a reputation for dentopedology (opening his mouth and putting his foot in it.)

Was that for real? 😱
Surely a set up/joke GG13? I can’t imagine Lammy could be so dim. Although he is rather too focused on race for my liking (ditto Lenny Henry).

How can you be too focussed on race when you have been discriminated against all your life?

Focus on race is definitely needed, but Lammy did make some un informed assumptions based on ignorance about the meaning of black and white smoke 11 years ago

so this is the correct story as in a series of tweets

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21764636

Frankly storm and teacup come to mind after some of the horrendous stories coming out of Reform Candidates on race.

I' really pleased on the whole with the new cabinet - a really strong team.

I’m less happy about Jacqui Smith being brought back as a Minister.

Tend to agree, she clearly can be very competent, but too many borderline decisions on expenses.

I'm another who's pleased with Patrick Vallance I think he's going to be very useful - also think Hilary Benn is a great choice and he will "hit the ground running - he has met some of the main Stormont parties already.
He says he wants to re-set the relationship with London.

I wish all these people good luck.

True equality means appointment by merit and accepting the way that works out.

I can’t find James Timpson on Desert Island Discs, does anyone know about when this was broadcast please ?

"Timpson might be a good man and compassionate to prisoners but what about compassion for the victims of their crimes."

That's a very fair point Wethertomorrow and one with which we would all agree on at some level. However, I think we would also agree that crime needs to be addressed from a different angle. The current system clearly isn't working and prisons are full to capacity. I believe (and sincerely hope) that James Timpson is more than just an idealist and will bring practical solutions as well as inspiration through fresh and experienced eyes.

NanKate

I can’t find James Timpson on Desert Island Discs, does anyone know about when this was broadcast please ?

Here it is.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/b074vw94

If you want to know how ministerial appointments were made in the previous government read Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart, it will terrify you …

James Timpson has helped turn around the lives of many ex prisoners and their rate of reoffending has been extremely low. He has taken a chance on them, trusted them with working in his shops and they have rewarded his efforts.

DamaskRose

If you want to know how ministerial appointments were made in the previous government read Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart, it will terrify you …

Yes - I also recommend it.

On the The Rest is Politics, Leading series of podcasts there's interviews with Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, Bridget Phillipson and Rachel Reeves. I found the interviews interesting and informative, particularly with respect to their early lives and what motivated them to enter politics. They are all free to access and there's lots more to listen to.

I’ve got so many of those podcasts to catch up on! I’m on holiday for a couple of weeks so hopefully I can work my way through them.

Germanshepherdsmum

James Timpson has helped turn around the lives of many ex prisoners and their rate of reoffending has been extremely low. He has taken a chance on them, trusted them with working in his shops and they have rewarded his efforts.

Yes, he is a fine man. Timpson senior and his wife, not only adopted 3 children in addition to their own two, they also fostered in excess of 90. Presumably it was this, in part, seeing how a life can go wrong so easily, which helped inspire his business. he also pays his taxes in the UK which goes to prove that you don't have to make a choice between profit and conscience.

I am very pleased indeed with the appointments so far, and seeing the approval of those on GN who thought the sky was going to fall in when Starmer was elected, indicates that the choices he has made so far have been the right ones.

Sago

This has given me some confidence, it is a very well considered appointment.
I didn’t vote for KS but I am trying hard to be optomistic.

Same here Sago. I’m hoping there’ll be more appointments of specialists, rather than politicians!