Starmer son finds a quiet place to study for GCSEs

I’m sure some do it but I wouldn’t rely on traffic figures as they’ll also include wfh

@EasternStandard Not necessarily. It’s quite normal to work suppressed hours and it’s not just wfh.

I WFH 4 days a week. I wouldn't work anywhere I had to do 4 days in the office. My sector is generally 2 days a week. It's only micro managing firms who want more.

It’s pretty standard in the sector I know for people to wfh on Fridays, that would show in traffic figures

I used to compress 5 into 4. It's really quite stressful / tough going. I wouldn't do it again.

Anyway, you've the right to ask for it now. I'm not sure what Labour's proposal adds to what is already available.

Isn’t that wfh one day a week?

Cleverly would be my choice. Although Labour would have to carry on being disappointing for the next 5 years for me to even consider it. The only reason I'd vote Tory would be to keep Reform out.

Judging by traffic patterns, many are already doing a compressed week @nearlylovemyusername Also it’s been quite popular as a recruiting tool. It’s 4 days but 5 days work. The challenge will be productivity though. Employers will need to be vigilant.

@NoWordForFluffy I quite agree about quality of MPs. We are losing people who are very bright and make a very good living elsewhere. Being an MP isn’t attracting the best people. I see lots of relatively good people now but too many who are not good enough.

Starmer is interesting in a way. He became a civil servant. Didn’t stay at the self employed bar. So turned his back on being in court and constructing an argument, He left the cut and thrust of the courts. He seems robotic to me and unable to grasp that what he’s taken feels a betrayal of the values he espoused.

The Cons are a problem too. Jenrick has lurched right and is trying to get Reform off the scene. I think many Reform voters were Labour anyway. Labour only got a bit over 33% of the vote so hardly a ringing endorsement. Teresa May, when she lost all those seats, got 42%. Makes 40% for Labour in 2017 look outstanding. In 2024 turnout was below 60%. That clearly shows people are switching off and it stems from poor MPs/Ministers and poor quality decisions. Starmer had to go nearer to the middle to get the Cons votes from moderate people. Reform grabbed the right wing and Labour voters often don’t want immigration. Therefore Labour lost vote share too. Our FPP voting system masks voting patterns.

I have no doubt some of the Cons decisions about procurement during COVID were wrong but they were desperate. It’s now difficult to believe Labour would have been different. Turns out they have wealthy business mates too. They also would have been desperate.

Only those who'll manage to keep /get a job - there is a very significant concern amongst businesses about this four days a week and other policies. I expect significant reduction in hiring and even stronger move offshore

Well, on a brighter note, we will all be on a four day week and encouraged to partaaaay in Ibiza…

You're on, but I could lose, as you might be right. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds, as always and forever. "Events, dear boy". Anthony Eden? I'll visit the google.

Lord Alli is one of the few openly gay Muslims in the world and where is Rosie going - those are my thoughts of the day!

Willing to bet you £1, if that’s any good 😂

I share your valid fear about Reform. What we need is people to vote for other existing parties: Lib Dem’s, Green etc. or we will be forever trapped in this two party horse race. It’s the underlying issue with UK politics, but also means the Tories and Labour are equally complacent, as our choice is either them or them. What a bloody mess, to think we used to laugh at American politicians, those days are gone. @nearlylovemyusername

Hi confuses authority with ruthlessness. He believes that following through "unpopular" decisions gains him respect.
This type of behavior is typical of people like Putin.

I would agree. On one side this would mean that Labour will be truly over after this term, however, the scale of damages done till then will be horrifying and I'm not sure how the next Parliament will look like. Again, I have a major fear of Reform

Can't risk a tenner. Lost my £200 WFP.

Mashed potato for Christmas dinner.

Tenner says Rayner is PM by Christmas 2026.

Yes a few, but even they must be relatively embarrassed and shamefaced, as well as notably absent from this thread.😂

I don't think she's diversity hire.

I think it's much worse than this - she's true face of Labour and reflection of their ideology.

I strongly suspect that Labour and their masters put Starmer on the top so not to scare electorate (remember Corbyn?) and let them win on the belief it's centrist party.

I'm waiting to see how these scandals are going to evolve and if he will be pushed to resign with ultra left taking the lead.

I never voted Tory. I will never forget and never forgive Brexit.

But - how, just how it was possible to believe Labour's promises? Not a single number in their manifesto matched, not a single policy was workable. Just how?

Yep, exact that. Expected nothing more of her and nothing less of that!

It’s so depressing isn’t it. They’re all the effing same!