Good on Kemi!

You can't be serious about Lammy?!?

I think that gives him too much credit! He too wishy washy to have any real opinions to be lying about. He needs to go. They should let Lammy have a go.

Public perception is worse than that, from More in Common

Sir Keir Starmer ends 2025 as the most unpopular British prime minister in polling history, while Rachel Reeves, his chancellor, plumbs similar depths of public dislike. But one thing still surprises the pollsters: the level of apparent hatred felt towards them.

“I can normally understand where the public are coming from but I admit this is surprising,” said Luke Tryl, of the More in Common polling organisation. “There’s a real dislike, even loathing of Starmer and Reeves.”

“In focus groups, people say Starmer is a liar and only said what he thought he needed to say to get elected,”

Whilst I don't think he lies, Starmer does seem to make up his policy as he goes! Will next weeks u-turn be jury trials or mansion taxes?

Tbf many think it of Labour. Hence their support dropping each week.

Yep

It’s their legal right because unions have fought their employers a campaigned for changes in the law, which now protect everyone regardless of whether they have unions in the workplace. So without unions we wouldn’t have these rights.

To be balanced I have seen this from people from all political sides these days. It’s sad that people can’t debate and discuss without name calling. I think we all have a duty to call out that 💩 regardless of political views. (Appreciate it’s easier said than done, and I’m not perfect and have occasionally reacted badly).

Agree

It must be hugely stressful for her. No idea who is about to defect, no idea who she can trust. Hideous.

Many areas of work aren't unionised. They seem to be able to claim sick pay, maternity pay and holiday pay still, as is their legal right.

I'm not against unions per se and I think collective action is a good thing. I just think they have too much power in the workplace. Many call for strikes far too often on minimal votes, causing huge disruption and cost and the government has to cave in. And many are run by zealots eg the BMA. And Labour want to increase their powers as if they have no recollection of history of this country. I suppose Keir Starmer doesn't read as he claims, but really.

It’s mostly how the left operate though (obviously not you)

Ok if you want to get rid of unions are you prepared to give up your sick pay, your maternity pay, your holiday pay…. I could go on…

Now I’m definitely a lefty but honestly don’t think name calling helps. I appreciate how frustrating it is and the desire to express that frustration but seriously you’ll never change hearts and minds by speaking like this. In fact you play right into Reforms and the Tories hands by speaking like that.

On the thread topic, yes Kemi is really coming into her own. I liked her stance on women’s rights, and was sorry she didn’t have time to see it through. She is turning out to be a good leader.

She is clear thinking and doesn’t get side tracked by impossible fantasies.

Too many people just don't have the skills need to justify a salary that isn't subsidised by the government. The government has already decided that people who might have an economic value of say £10 an hour don't deserve to have a job at all.

Supermarkets are good example where the number of people paid to sit at checkouts has fallen. Some people say they prefer to go a person than a machine but how many would be prepared to pay the differential. If it cost £3 to pay the person to process the shopping would people still prefer that option?

Heath was bloody useless, you'll get no argument from me on that! I remember endless powercuts but you are most likely right about the timing.

Well obviously E. Heath was about as much use as a sick headache! Doesn't alter the fact that the last few years of the 70s were even more dire.

Agree. It’s not a good idea to be too onerous on SMEs as it just impacts jobs.

Yes but you could take someone on and give them a trial. Now this is a risk.

Employers are usually good people. They want to keep staff happy and make sure they pay them properly so they don't go elsewhere. But it has to be affordable and not overly onerous for them ultimately. SMEs employ most of the workforce in the private sector and many have very tight margins. You'll be naive or very ideological to think otherwise.

Or the employer doesnt want to pay decent wages as it affects their profits and is happy for people to rely on the state to make up the deficit.

And then complains about benefits.

Young people have always had the inexperience problem.

Its not exploiting people. Its weighing up the cost of the increased ENI and the potential for vexatious claims or for getting the new rules wrong or for employing the wrong person for the job and then getting stung. And this is before an employee may have settled in and made any positive contribution.

So an employer may just think its not worth the cost or potential hassle and just not employ anyone new. Its their choice not to hire. Which, if you are a young person with no track record to prove you are a good potential employee, is not great.

Ik it’s annoying that the response is not real, perhaps the pp didn’t mean that anyway. But yeh I agree.

That's on employers, not the Bill.

If they only take a chance when they can exploit people, they are not great companies to wrk for.

In the words of J Lo, I'm real!

Is it being a parody account to have different opinions from other people? I think I sound eminently reasonable most of the time. And I respect the opinions of others who have opposing views. Gen X...many of us used to be able to do that.