Proud CEO of ACEVO, the membership body for civil society leaders in England & Wales. Passionate champion of all things social action. Also proudly a trustee of Access Foundation & chair, Reach Volunteering.
So it’s official; Rishi Sunak has conceded and Sir Keir Starmer will be our next prime minister. Plenty of time for more coherent reflections later (could do with getting some sleep soon!) but as I said recently we look forward to working with the new administration to resetting the relationship between government and civil society - not for our sake, not for theirs, but the sake of the people and causes we are all here to serve.
Smoke and Mirrors, Or Just Pure Desperation?
The trouble with making quick, off the cuff remarks when trying to shore up a dying industry is that experts from the various sectors will see straight through the smoke. The PM's announcement today unfortunately rings hollow when it comes to energy security, and rings more about refilling the Tory war chest to try and prepare to stem the bleeding that will happen at the next election. It also totally contradicts the UK net zero approach.
A very short, a very precise, destructive piece on the PM's recent remarks for justifying the granting of further oil and gas permits.
In conclusion, we only use 20% of the oil we extract to date, selling the rest for large scale corporate profit. With regards to gas, the cost is set by the international market, not the UK, thereby the only winners in extracting more gas will be..... yes, the gas giants.
This feels less like a move to develop UK energy resilience and more like a sweetener to large fossil fuel energy giants to provide financial backing for the Tories post the election and their real risk of political annihilation. If the Tory government were serious about UK energy security, we would be seeing better gas storage sites being developed, increased connectivity for green energy producers to the energy grid, and further incentives to invest in green fuel.
The interesting comment is the fact that when asked for evidence, the UK government was unable, or unwilling, to provide it for analysis. Not a good example of leadership, professionalism, or honesty.
In light of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's appointment of Esther McVey to the cabinet in the informally dubbed role of 'Minister for Common Sense', I thought I'd release a little reflection on the common sense idea of patience.
We work in complex systems where the downstream consequences of our actions are not always obvious. We have a bias to action where doing 'something' is often perceived as better than leaving well alone. But pressurised decisions, if they are not reversible, are rarely optimal decisions.
We see this so often in government. Pressure to act on a perceived threat creates unintended consequences that are often far more damaging than the problem they intended to resolve. Pressurised decisions in software engineering or the complex domain of human relationships are like that too.
So here are a few little common sense thoughts on why patience is an underrated virtue.
A Note to The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, from a concerned loyal and faithful citizen of the UK.
Assuming the mantle of Prime Minister is a formidable task. It demands relentless dedication, unwavering commitment, and tireless work to serve the diverse populace of the UK. The role is fraught with challenges, as it is impossible to satisfy everyone’s expectations. Every day, tough decisions must be made, often under the scrutiny and criticism of the public eye.
Rishi Sunak, you have my support, along with many others who comprehend the daily complexities inherent in a Prime Minister’s role. We trust that you will consistently strive to do your utmost for the British people residing in our country.
As Prime Minister, it is crucial to prioritize immigration, curbing the unjust exploitation by illegal immigrants and traffickers. Law and Order require urgent attention to regain the public’s faith in our police force, once regarded as the world’s finest.
The National Health Service (NHS) should operate like a professional business, emphasizing accountability and eliminating wastage of funds. If you can effectively address these three critical issues, which significantly impact the daily lives of countless individuals across the country, you stand a strong chance of winning the next General Election.
By doing so, you could etch your name in history as one of our most esteemed Prime Ministers. Your legacy would be a testament to your commitment to serving the people and addressing the issues that matter most to them.
#10DowningStreet#RishiSunak#HCI#Conservatives#ConservativeParty#HighCommissionofIndia#HouseofCommons#HouseofLords
Today’s King’s Speech was not only Rishi Sunak's first as Prime Minister, but also likely to be the last one we will see before the next General Election. Amidst the pomp and pageantry, it unveiled 21 bills across a range of key topics, from reforming our railways to creating our first smoke-free generation.
For the property industry, the long-awaited Renters (Reform) Bill will provide greater protections for both renters and landlords by abolishing no-fault evictions and improving the court system.
The Leasehold and Freehold Bill promises reform which will be welcomed by many but care will need to be taken that additional pressures are not inadvertently placed onto leaseholders in the process, while ever-increasing regulation including the Building Safety Act already make this a challenging sector. We expect to see estate management fees to fall under even closer scrutiny. Getting these bills through the current government is set to be a considerable challenge with Conservative MPs concerned about their political future. The stage is set for the hard work to really begin.
On July 5th, the Prime Minister will be either Rishi Sunak or Keir Starmer.
In the election after that, and the election after that, and the election after that... the Prime Minister will be either Labour or Conservative too.
What would it take for this to change, and what are the chances of it happening?
In Trajectory's latest Slow Futures piece we look at the unchanging political dominance of the two main parties and what it means for public trust, political identity and apathy. You can read the piece - and whole Slow Futures archive of stunningly dull charts - here. https://lnkd.in/eTur8DxK
Some key stats:
❎ It's been over 100 years since we had a Prime Minister that wasn't Labour or Conservative (Lloyd George in 1922)
❎Since then, the lowest combined vote share of the two main parties has been 65%
❎Only once has turnout for a General Election dropped below 60% (2001)
The decision of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to go to the polls on July 4, well before they are due, is nothing but a political gamble to leverage some of the recent positive developments under his reign, which include a drop in inflation, lower net migration, and a return to economic growth.
However, this gamble has little chance of success as Mr. Rishi Sunak's conservative party (the Tories) has become unpopular after 14 fractious years in power. At least 76 sitting MPs from Tories have quit.
While the Tories have squandered the massive mandate they won under the leadership of Boris Johnson in 2019, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, is making a spectacular comeback with its conspicuous good show in the March local elections.
While Mr. Rishi Sunak is in a better position owing to the country's economic upturn, there is no guarantee that it will fetch electoral dividends for the Tories.
As things stand today, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Mr. Keir Starmer, is well-poised to return to power in the July 4 polls.
Breaking News: General Election Announced!
Soaking Sunak or Serious Starmer? Well this one came out of the blue somewhat didn't it... and with challenges facing the executive recruitment market, which leader will better steer the ship?
Sunak: Economic Stability, Business-Friendly Policies, Continuity for Businesses?
Starmer: Policy Focus on Social Justice, Support for Public Services, Structured Governance?
In these dynamic times, the Executive recruitment market remains robust and with opportunities. Choosing the right recruitment partner is crucial to navigate this landscape effectively. The Executive team at Macildiowe are experts in identifying and securing top-tier talent, ensuring your business is well-equipped to thrive, no matter which political direction the country takes.
Please get in touch on jor@macildowie.com#ExecutiveRecruitment#Leadership#BusinessGrowth#TopTalent#EconomicStability#CorporateGovernance#RecruitmentExpert#JoRiley#Macildiowe#Election2024#BusinessStrategy#TalentAcquisition
In a statement outside Downing Street in the pouring rain, Rishi Sunak said he had met with the King to request the dissolution of parliament, and that request was granted.
Live updates 👉 https://lnkd.in/eBfFACEz
