OV9

duncs500 wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 11:28 am

Mito Man wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 10:40 am Looking from the outside in its as if the majority of them have never worked outside of politics or integrated in society.

Sums it up nicely.

You can extend that to the civil service as well then, given that RR and other politicians are simply mouthpieces.

GG. wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 10:47 am

Simon wrote: Fri Nov 28, 2025 9:39 am 2 years was terrible, but day 1 was unworkable. I think the proposal was day 1 protections but with a 9 month probation? Now it's 6 months for both, which to be fair makes a lot more sense from both parties. Some peoples CVs are a work of fiction and they make stuff up. This policy allows for that.

Yes there needs to be some period where on the job suitability is addressed without people threatening to bring legal redress if you let them go.

Obviously most labour backbenchers haven't dealt with recruiting and development of employees and have no idea about the practical realities. As you say, some people are economical with the truth on CVs or at interview, may be simply unsuited to the job even if qualified and/or vexatiously invoke employment law or allege discrimination as a first line defence, however unjustified.

All of that. It's extremely difficult to assess/uncover behavioral elements during an interview process.

And of course the unions are pleased at the shortening of probation periods and qualification for unfair dismissal. It is of course merely a fortunate by-product of improving employee rights that organisations whose entire existance is reliant on ongoing employer/employee conflict and distrust will see an increase in their own potential scope of involvement/activity.

Maybe if we want Unions to be less aggressive, employers can try being less exploitative.

Meet in the middle a bit

Crazy talk!

aka Works Councils

How do employers take the piss currently ?

I've had them be particularly strict with the rules and once had holiday planning messed with but mainly I've had good employers.

What can they do now within the rules which is so bad ?

Dave!

Has he fallen on his sword yet?

He looked very uncomfortable in PMQs today

When he first appointed Mandy i seem to remember a few raised eyebrows over the epstein friendship, but most seemed to agree that his closeness to Trump was worth it. Funny how everyone goes “full hindsight” when more info comes out.

Starmers lack of experience in politics has definitely shown over the last 18 months - he’s still treating it like being a lawyer, where there’s right and wrong - backed by the law. where you can listen to evidence and change course. He still doesn’t get that whatever you do as PM, half the press and parliament are after your blood, and changing your mind is seen as the ultimate sin.

We don’t need more infighting and leadership battles, we’ve been there, done that and gained nothing. we do need people learning from mistakes and fixing problems, and ffs - thinking through the potential consequences of decisions before announcing them.

John wrote: Wed Feb 04, 2026 9:09 pm Has he fallen on his sword yet?

He looked very uncomfortable in PMQs today

I was looking for this thread a day ago - it feels like time. Bringing Mandy back into the fold was such an error of judgment.

It was apt that Mandy had his 4th resignation/sacking for indiscretions on Groundhog Day.

Rayner for PM

Rather Rayner than Streeting tbh

Bwaaaahahahahahahaha

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cew8jde9pxqt

Lord Mandelson arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

What did Mandy say when the emails first came out - “don’t worry i’ll look into it and sort it”
or something to that effect…!

Not a great night for Starmer - this firmly establishes that you DON'T have to vote Labour to keep Reform out of a seat which could be devastating for them in the next GE. They've gone from winning with over 50% of the vote and a majority of 13k to third in 2 years.

However, I think the biggest story of the night was the Tories who got just 706 votes.

I've always felt that what we're seeing in America could never happen here and that, when push comes to shove and the county's Government is at stake, that sense would prevail and that a party with experience of running the country would always win - albeit more likely a coalition with a smaller party.

The Greens won not with green policies, but with some divisive populous policies designed to win seats only. Expand that over the whole country and who knows what direction this country will lurch into.

Despite what people may think, I don't think there were any winners last night.

It’s amazing how different people’s viewpoint can be tbh

I think last night’s result was brilliant. First positive political result in ages.

Gave Labour a bloody nose and has Reform showing themselves as the bitter conspiracy theorists they are.

Seems to me it was more a protest vote. Against how it's generally going under Labour, but also potentially to a degree because of the Burnham snub - he's not that popular nationally but in Greater Manchester he is very popular (I'm no fan!). Those on the right voted Reform, those on the left voted Greens. I doubt you'd see the same result in a GE.

If anything I'd say that Labour's count wasn't the utter drubbing I expected. The Con and LD figures are utterly terrible though!

ETA: There's also been one hell of a row about "family voting" going on, with one group claiming that such shenanigans were the highest they've ever noted, but the returning officer responding that concerns should have been raised during the voting window, not after the polls had closed.

For sure, I don’t think we’re going to see Polanski in number 10.

What it shows is that Labour are on a hiding to nothing chasing Reform down their bigoted little rabbit hole though.

Swervin_Mervin wrote: Fri Feb 27, 2026 10:21 am
ETA: There's also been one hell of a row about "family voting" going on, with one group claiming that such shenanigans were the highest they've ever noted, but the returning officer responding that concerns should have been raised during the voting window, not after the polls had closed.

I tend to do postal voting (which I guess could be subject to this practice if a household all does it) but I thought voting booths were strictly one-person-only, non?

I guess some bigots are "more equal than others" Zed...