Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

Well, disappointingly, in our town hall we found out we are not moving to the 4 day week .... yet!
We have ben told that management will be watching the 4 day week trial very carefully and will make a decision later in the year. That will depend not only on the results of the trial but also what our competitors are doing ... and some of them have already announced a move to a 4 day week, which makes me think that if we do not follow then recruitment and staff retention is going to be an even bigger problem than it is now.

Interestingly, a friend from one of those companies, was saying that their move to a 4 day week is expected to help stop the spiralling salary costs in what is very obviously an employee market (despite COVID).

[barney]

Christian Wakeford crosses the House
The beginning of the end ?

[Mervyn and Trish]

Christian Wakeford crosses the House
The beginning of the end ?

He is of course entitled to his views. However I believe this behaviour is unacceptable at any time, and of course it has happened before.

His constituents elected him as a Conservative. They did not choose to have a Labour MP.

If he wishes to change party he should resign his seat. If he wishes to do so, and the Labour Party agree, he should then stand at the subsequent by-election as a Labour candidate. Then the electorate can decide whether they prefer to have him personally as a Labour MP or someone else as a Conservative. If he is so confident of his view and believes it is shared by his constituents I can't see this should be an issue for him.

[Bensham33]

↑Christian Wakeford Conservative MP for Bury South has a small majority. The constituency of Bury South has been a Labour strong hold for many years. The good people of Bury turning their backs on Labour, like millions of others, at the last election. I think the only reason he has defected is that he wants to stay an MP after the next election and the way things are going for Boris and his government at present he thinks this is a good time to cross the house. A purely selfish act and badly timed.

[barney]

And then ……. David Davies twists the knife.
At least he’s one of the few that will do it in the front rather than in the back.

[Onelife]

↑Christian Wakeford Conservative MP for Bury South has a small majority. The constituency of Bury South has been a Labour strong hold for many years. The good people of Bury turning their backs on Labour, like millions of others, at the last election. I think the only reason he has defected is that he wants to stay an MP after the next election and the way things are going for Boris and his government at present he thinks this is a good time to cross the house. A purely selfish act and badly timed.

I agree with Sir Merv and I agree with you as to the reason he has done it.

[david63]

Won't be long before the naysayers decry the latest announcements - plan B restrictions to end next week and self isolation to probably end before the end of March.

[Ray B]

A very entertaining PMQs. If I had to give out points, I think Boris won hands down against Cpt Hindsight.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Won't be long before the naysayers decry the latest announcements - plan B restrictions to end next week and self isolation to probably end before the end of March.

I'm awaiting Sue Gray's report. I'm predicting if she clears Boris it'll be stitch up because she is corrupt. If she finds against him she's a fine upstanding woman of principle.

#BashBoris

[screwy]

↑Christian Wakeford Conservative MP for Bury South has a small majority. The constituency of Bury South has been a Labour strong hold for many years. The good people of Bury turning their backs on Labour, like millions of others, at the last election. I think the only reason he has defected is that he wants to stay an MP after the next election and the way things are going for Boris and his government at present he thinks this is a good time to cross the house. A purely selfish act and badly timed.

My thoughts entirely and with Mervs comments.

The last one to cross the floor was I believe during the Brexit debates. That worked well for him, voted out at the election.

[Manoverboard]

More good news, so sorry about that ... Covid cases continue to drop

[towny44]

↑Christian Wakeford Conservative MP for Bury South has a small majority. The constituency of Bury South has been a Labour strong hold for many years. The good people of Bury turning their backs on Labour, like millions of others, at the last election. I think the only reason he has defected is that he wants to stay an MP after the next election and the way things are going for Boris and his government at present he thinks this is a good time to cross the house. A purely selfish act and badly timed.

My thoughts entirely and with Mervs comments.

The last one to cross the floor was I believe during the Brexit debates. That worked well for him, voted out at the election.

Count me in on all counts as well.

[Stephen]

More good news, so sorry about that ... Covid cases continue to drop

Trust you to ruin my day

[Mervyn and Trish]

It'll be because our testing system is crap I'm sure. Not possible that the UK got something right.

[screwy]

Or Boris.

Ok, we all know he’s a buffoon but he has got quite a bit right, and he didn’t take the knee.!

[Gill W]

Briefing tonight at 5pm, being done by Javid.

Johnson must be going into hiding again.

Do you think anyone has told the virus that the UK government want this over and done?

[screwy]

Maybe it’s a briefing on COVID which I assume would come under ‘Health’.?

So, who better to give the briefing than the Secretary of State for Health.?

Maybe the PM has other engagements. Unless of course you have seen his diary.!

[Onelife]

Forgive my memory loss but I can’t think of many/if any things he got right…and I wouldn’t be surprised if he does take to the knee because let’s face it, he’s tried everything else to squirm his way out of having to resign.

[david63]

Do you think anyone has told the virus that the UK government want this over and done?

Not just the UK Government but the whole world want it over and done!

[david63]

I can’t think of many/if any things he got right

What about securing vaccines at an early stage and then the vaccine rollout?

[Onelife]

I can’t think of many/if any things he got right

What about securing vaccines at an early stage and then the vaccine rollout?

Blow me down I’d forgotten about that one….would you like me to post the twenty things he got wrong?

[oldbluefox]

He didn't sell off our gold reserves cheaply, he didn't lead us into an illegal war, he didn't commit our NHS into years of debt with the PFI initiatives, he didn't underestimate the number of Eastern Europeans who would come into the country when he opened up our borders either.

[Onelife]

He didn't sell off our gold reserves cheaply, he didn't lead us into an illegal war, he didn't commit our NHS into years of debt with the PFI initiatives, he didn't underestimate the number of Eastern Europeans who would come into the country when he opened up our borders either.

You’re right Foxy but neither was he in a position to make those calls.

Contrary to what some may think I voted conservative and my only concerns are that we have a leader who is up for the job…. Boris is and always will be a man who lacks good judgement (his words) I agree with him.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Briefing tonight at 5pm, being done by Javid.

Johnson must be going into hiding again.

Do you think anyone has told the virus that the UK government want this over and done?

I'd prefer some rules to remain, such as compulsory mask wearing. But then again my business isn't being trashed by restrictions so I'm alright Jack. And of course if the government didn't start to relax restrictions they'd be attacked for that. But never mind let's Bash Boris anyway.

BTW has anyone seen the daily cases in France at the moment? Scarey. And they test half as many as us. Should we Maul Macron too?

[Mervyn and Trish]

He didn't sell off our gold reserves cheaply, he didn't lead us into an illegal war, he didn't commit our NHS into years of debt with the PFI initiatives, he didn't underestimate the number of Eastern Europeans who would come into the country when he opened up our borders either.

You’re right Foxy but neither was he in a position to make those calls.

Contrary to what some may think I voted conservative and my only concerns are that we have a leader who is up for the job…. Boris is and always will be a man who lacks good judgement (his words) I agree with him.

At least he had the judgement to carry through Brexit, which may be why some will forgive him a lot, and certainly why others will attack him whatever he does.