Cabinet Reshuffle

Not at all PN

Did you not realise you can admire someone of principle without necessarily agreeing with them?

Allira

^Rosie Duffield is not representative of anybody except herself, she’s been a square peg in a round hole for a long time.^

A woman of principle.
Would there were more of them!

I'm not sure that sharing your views makes anyone a person of principle. Doesn't it just mean she shares your principles or do you truly believe yours are the only ones?

Yes, that’s what I meant MaizieD she was just giving her own opinion. You agree with her, but whether other Labour MPs do we don’t know yet.

It will be interesting to see if what is said to be a reset will result in change - Starmer means it to be a new start I think. I also think I’m a glass half full, that’s why I see it as I do, hope is my ally.

It’s fair to say we all see it differently. Rosie Duffield is not representative of anybody except herself, she’s been a square peg in a round hole for a long time.

Rosie Duffield was talking about the 'reshuffle', that it was just (t Cabinet level) a rearranging of the current ministers. In which I agreed with her judgement.

I don't think we'll see much change, especially in the policies for the economy, where Reeves remains. until the Treasury lets go of its neoliberal economic beliefs and starts accepting that the government needs to spend money, not save it, we'll be into austerity and higher taxes from those who can least afford it. Which will invigorate Farage and his followers.

Allsorts

Well Rachel Reeves isn’t up to the job either and I have yet to find out what on earth that party stand for and i do not think they have any idea, This just leaves the door open for Farage, what a thought,

So, apart from ‘the boats’ can you tell me what Reform actually stand for?

Crossed post - sorry Mamie.

4allweknow

I'm always amazed at how politicians can be bumped from one role to another. Do they actually have experience/ knowledge about all jobs they are given? Even in a local authority it would be unusual for Head of Finace to jump into eg Head of Housing, Transport, Education but Ministers do.

In senior management, across most organisations, the emphasis tends to be on core leadership, strategic planning, decision-making, and interpersonal skills. While industry-specific knowledge is important, it is often supplemented by specialist experts or teams who possess that technical expertise. For example, a CEO or CFO may not be an expert in every operational detail of their organisation but rely on managers and specialists for in-depth technical knowledge.

Similarly, in politics, especially at the ministerial level, it's common for leaders to be appointed based on their leadership ability, political acumen, and strategic vision rather than specific technical expertise in the area they oversee. They rely on civil servants, advisors, and subject-matter experts to inform their decisions. The role of a minister is frequently more about setting policy direction, representing political priorities, and managing relationships, rather than being the foremost technical authority.

In SME's this may/will differ but that is not an appropriate comparison to Ministers running the country. Perhaps it would help if they were paid more appropriately.

When a new Minister or SOS is appointed, the department's Private Office briefs and supports the incomer and the Permanent Secretary leads the smooth transition of power.
It would be impossible for all MPs to have direct experience of the briefs to which they are appointed. It has always been like this.

Freya5

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Rosie Duffield (was Labour MP now an Independent) says “But this government, I’m afraid, their days are numbered. It doesn’t really make a lot of difference which of the same five people are in which particular job title.”

She’s is a WhatsApp group with several friends who are still Labour MPs. There is much consensus of this view apparently.

Well let us hope, for the sake of our country, what she says is true.
This lot are a joke, and promoted well above their competancy.
As for Mastermind Lammy, "I hate Britain",
why has he been put in such a position of power. Despair for my Granchildrens future under this lot of
Incompetents.

Freya5 I wholeheartedly agree.

Rosie Duffield is not representative of anybody except herself, she’s been a square peg in a round hole for a long time.

A woman of principle.
Would there were more of them!

Casdon

ronib

I am relieved that Lammy no longer represents the Uk abroad. It’s such a comprehensive reshuffle that it couldn’t have been done in a few days.

It definitely wasn’t a knee jerk reshuffle, it was far too comprehensive for that to have been the case, he must have been planning it for months, and he brought it forward to account for Angela Rayner’s departure at the same time.

No mystery. It was being planned for the autumn - for the second phase.

I liked AR out of all the labour lot. Worked hard since she was sixteen. Held down a proper job.
Sounds like she had a tough start, becoming pregnant early in life.
I don’t think it will be the end of her for sure.

4allweknow

I'm always amazed at how politicians can be bumped from one role to another. Do they actually have experience/ knowledge about all jobs they are given? Even in a local authority it would be unusual for Head of Finace to jump into eg Head of Housing, Transport, Education but Ministers do.

Do you mean the Local Government officer in charge of Housing etc or the elected Councillor who might be the Cabinet member for that Department?

The Council Cabinet members do move from department to department, and are advised by their officers, just as Ministers are advised by their civil servants, and may not be elected in the next round of local elections just like MPs.

Good to see the reshuffle bringing in experience and expertise in Junior Ministers.

Jason Stockwood has been appointed investment minister jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and the Treasury
Dan Jarvis joins the Cabinet Office as a minister, while remaining security minister in the Home Office
Lady Jacqui Smith has taken up the role of skills minister in the Department for Work and Pensions. She will remain as both the skills and women and equalities minister in the Department for Education
Lord Patrick Vallance as a minister in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. He will remain minister in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Michael Shanks as a minister jointly in the Department for Business and Trade and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Alison McGovern has been appointed to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Dame Angela Eagle will join the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Dame Diana Johnson has moved to the Department for Work and Pensions
Sarah Jones MP has been appointed to the Home Office.

MaizieD

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Rosie Duffield (was Labour MP now an Independent) says “But this government, I’m afraid, their days are numbered. It doesn’t really make a lot of difference which of the same five people are in which particular job title.”

She’s is a WhatsApp group with several friends who are still Labour MPs. There is much consensus of this view apparently.

I think Rosie Duffield is correct. But I think a lot of the problem stems, not from the ministers, but from the overwhelming influence of the 'Blue Labourites' who are controlling the agenda. The most prominent being McSweeny, Starmer's Chief of Staff.

I believe it is they who have been pushing Labour into becoming a cheap imitation of Reform and becoming an embarrassment to many of the more centrist/socialist supporters of Labour.

There's a really interesting article in this month's Prospect magazine (which I'd say is centre left in ethos) about 'reactionary centrists', a term which has come from the US and is definitely derogatory over there, but which seems to fit the current direction of Labour's travel. I don't think it's derogatory here in the UK (at the moment) just descriptive.

I got Chatgtp to summarise for me

Reactionary centrists

It describes those who — while not endorsing the right outright — frame right-wing radicalisation as a reaction to liberal “excesses,” blaming victims and humanising those fomenting authoritarian or fascistic tendencies

.^Key Traits:^

Downplay or rationalise rising conservatism as a valid backlash to liberalism.

Advise caution in language — even hesitating to label obvious fascists as such — to avoid “provoking” them.

Recommend compromises on immigration or trans rights to reclaim centrist voters

I find it interesting as people quite frequently complain that Labour is no longer for the 'working class' and doesn't understand their values. Primarily because it is claimed to be driven by the liberal middle classes whose values are not the same.

But, thinking about a recent short thread about the Fabian Society, founded over 100yrs ago, which was influential in setting up the Labour party and most definitely did not comprise'working class' subscribers and thinkers, it seems to me that there has always been a tension between the two strands of thought and Fabianism has lost out at present.

Prospect have taken their paywall down temporarily; the article is free to read until Monday

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/70966/what-is-a-reactionary-centrist-does-uk-have-them

It’s fair to say we all see it differently. Rosie Duffield is not representative of anybody except herself, she’s been a square peg in a round hole for a long time.

There is undoubtedly some dissent from the left, but so far it hasn’t resulted in defections to the Corbyn alternative, and I don’t think any of us yet know whether the reshuffle will win over or disenfranchise the relatively small group of left leaning MPs or not. I suspect most will value remaining in power, and will hope to influence change through more subtle routes - it remains to be seen.

I think MaizieD has answered your question Mamie better than I could. I’ve been off line for a good while this afternoon.

Well Rachel Reeves isn’t up to the job either and I have yet to find out what on earth that party stand for and i do not think they have any idea, This just leaves the door open for Farage, what a thought,

I'm always amazed at how politicians can be bumped from one role to another. Do they actually have experience/ knowledge about all jobs they are given? Even in a local authority it would be unusual for Head of Finace to jump into eg Head of Housing, Transport, Education but Ministers do.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Rosie Duffield (was Labour MP now an Independent) says “But this government, I’m afraid, their days are numbered. It doesn’t really make a lot of difference which of the same five people are in which particular job title.”

She’s is a WhatsApp group with several friends who are still Labour MPs. There is much consensus of this view apparently.

I think Rosie Duffield is correct. But I think a lot of the problem stems, not from the ministers, but from the overwhelming influence of the 'Blue Labourites' who are controlling the agenda. The most prominent being McSweeny, Starmer's Chief of Staff.

I believe it is they who have been pushing Labour into becoming a cheap imitation of Reform and becoming an embarrassment to many of the more centrist/socialist supporters of Labour.

There's a really interesting article in this month's Prospect magazine (which I'd say is centre left in ethos) about 'reactionary centrists', a term which has come from the US and is definitely derogatory over there, but which seems to fit the current direction of Labour's travel. I don't think it's derogatory here in the UK (at the moment) just descriptive.

I got Chatgtp to summarise for me

Reactionary centrists

It describes those who — while not endorsing the right outright — frame right-wing radicalisation as a reaction to liberal “excesses,” blaming victims and humanising those fomenting authoritarian or fascistic tendencies

.^Key Traits:^

Downplay or rationalise rising conservatism as a valid backlash to liberalism.

Advise caution in language — even hesitating to label obvious fascists as such — to avoid “provoking” them.

Recommend compromises on immigration or trans rights to reclaim centrist voters

I find it interesting as people quite frequently complain that Labour is no longer for the 'working class' and doesn't understand their values. Primarily because it is claimed to be driven by the liberal middle classes whose values are not the same.

But, thinking about a recent short thread about the Fabian Society, founded over 100yrs ago, which was influential in setting up the Labour party and most definitely did not comprise'working class' subscribers and thinkers, it seems to me that there has always been a tension between the two strands of thought and Fabianism has lost out at present.

Prospect have taken their paywall down temporarily; the article is free to read until Monday

www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/70966/what-is-a-reactionary-centrist-does-uk-have-them

FriedGreenTomatoes2

It’s really just a rotation isn’t it? Not a reshuffle.

That's an interesting comment FGT. Could you define the difference between a reshuffle and a rotation in terms of changes in Government? Obviously the whole process as we know it so far, not just the most senior posts.

It’s really just a rotation isn’t it? Not a reshuffle.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Rosie Duffield (was Labour MP now an Independent) says “But this government, I’m afraid, their days are numbered. It doesn’t really make a lot of difference which of the same five people are in which particular job title.”

She’s is a WhatsApp group with several friends who are still Labour MPs. There is much consensus of this view apparently.

Well let us hope, for the sake of our country, what she says is true.
This lot are a joke, and promoted well above their competancy.
As for Mastermind Lammy, "I hate Britain",
why has he been put in such a position of power. Despair for my Granchildrens future under this lot of
Incompetents.

Rosie Duffield (was Labour MP now an Independent) says “But this government, I’m afraid, their days are numbered. It doesn’t really make a lot of difference which of the same five people are in which particular job title.”

She’s is a WhatsApp group with several friends who are still Labour MPs. There is much consensus of this view apparently.

More reshuffling today….

Let’s wait and see shall we? Casdon a week or two?