Some inspired appointments

Germanshepherdsmum

I seriously don’t rate Lammy. I was amazed at his appointment.

It's a wait and see on that appointment for me. One mess up on tweets and the colour of the pope's smoke doesn't rule him out as capable:

Very serious immediate issues on Palestine to deal with which are going got soon emerge, but he's already made several moves to re-connect with EU allies Nato wise to work closely together, which may be crucial if Trump gets in re Ukraine.

I have no doubt if he fails there will be a cabinet shuffle.

Perhaps at last we will have a government of all the talents, often promised but never achieved. Signs are definitely promising.

MayBee70

They’ve got Alan Milburn on board now, too! He’s Rory Stewart’s hero. ( There’s a Leading podcast with him, too).

I’m really pleased about that, he’s very skilled and experienced. I’d be sweating if I was trying to manage NHS waiting lists now, as he knows his onions.

Mark Carney is advising Rachel Reeves. I read not long ago how much he admires her.

I seriously don’t rate Lammy. I was amazed at his appointment.

They’ve got Alan Milburn on board now, too! He’s Rory Stewart’s hero. ( There’s a Leading podcast with him, too).

Urmstongran

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).

If you don't think Lammy could be that dim, check out his appearance on Celebrity Mastermind. He also believes that a man can “grow” a cervix if he is treated with hormones

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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

"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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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).