Gransnet forums

News & politics

Some inspired appointments

(83 Posts)
M0nica Sat 06-Jul-24 12:19:26

James Timpson, son of John Timpson of the eponymous Shoe repairers has been appointed Minister for prisons, Parole and probation.

To quote his Wikipedia biography:

Known for advocating the employment of former prisoners, he was the Chair of the Employers Forum for Reducing Re-offending (EFFRR) until 2016, and became Chair of the Prison Reform Trust that same year. He also founded the Employment Advisory Board network across the prison estate, which links prisons with employers to improve the employment opportunities for ex-offenders upon release.

His father, John Timpson and his late wife introduced a policy of employing ex-offenders in their shop and, I think 10% of employees, including some managers are ex-offenders.

James Timpson is not an MP but is being given a peerage.

Another inspired appointment in a similar vane is Sir Patrick Vallance, who was the then government's Chief Scientific Officer during the COVID pandemic. He has been appointed Minister of State for Science in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Again not an MP, but becoming a peer.

And, finally, a politician Hilary Benn is Minister for Northern Ireland, always a can of worms, ut his skill in navigating the Corbyn years, without commitment or condemnation always wom my admiration. After that Northern ireland should be a doddle!!!

Whitewavemark2 Sun 07-Jul-24 19:01:21

LizzieDrip

I honestly feel a huge sense of relief. It feels like the grown ups are back in charge smile

Yes and me. After all the performances we have been forced to watch for years, - as Starmer said, “the government will tread lightly on our lives now”

What a break. What a change.

foxie48 Sun 07-Jul-24 19:08:23

NotSpaghetti

foxie48 there is a thread about saving your money from Labour.
Maybe they picked up on that? grin

I'm sure you are correct. I didn't bother to post on that thread.

DoraMarr Sun 07-Jul-24 20:21:56

Agree. And James Timpson has a track record for emplying ex Prisoners and turning their lives around.

Urmstongran Sun 07-Jul-24 20:34:09

I’m hopeful too. I woke up this morning and just thought “this could be good”. There’s so much needs doing, from potholes to the NHS but the Tories had run out of ideas. Let’s hope Labour can deliver “country first, party second”. It would benefit us all and I admit to a frisson of excitement.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 07-Jul-24 20:41:25

We have hardly any old Etonians in the cabinet ( none?) Thank goodness: I think that this school has been over represented in government for too long.

Freya5 Sun 07-Jul-24 20:47:47

DoraMarr

Agree. And James Timpson has a track record for emplying ex Prisoners and turning their lives around.

This happens already, "over 400 Business and government departments are providing employment opportunities to prisoners within industry, ROTL placements and employment of prison leavers"
FromGOV.Uk.

M0nica Sun 07-Jul-24 21:20:05

But James Timpson, and his parents beforehim have been the pioneers in this field and I have yet to hear of any other company as pro-active as Timpsons. Over 10% of their staff are ex-prisoners. What is more the last 2 generation of Timpsons have been ddeply involved in the problems of helping prisoners rebuild their lives. James Timpson has been Chairman of the Prison Reform Trust.

That is a commitment that goes way beyond, just being one of over 400 Business and government departments are providing employment opportunities to prisoners within industry, ROTL placements and employment of prison leavers

How many of them can even begin to match the record of Timpsons, and John and James' contributions to helping ex-prisoners?