Minister for Government efficiency

Perhaps he is either a commercial landlord or he knows that commercial landlords donate to the Tory party. Or, of course he is just silly.

Government efficiency ….how apt that Rees Mogg should head up this oxymoron.

I'm so glad I no longer work for the Government (DWP) as of a month ago. The stupid dictates coming down from Whitehall because it ticked boxes for someone was endless. This is another, that Civil Servants have to return to expensive offices and can only be seen to be productive there is ridiculous. I had really thought that we had learnt about a better work life balance during the pandemic, but obviously not so,

Absolutely Lucca
?

A great many government buildings are sitting on prime real estate. I’m surprised he doesn’t want to sell them. Some are leased of course, so it may be more economical to carry on occupying them for the time being.

There are a number of small businesses that rely on office workers as customers. They must have suffered.

Lucca

Government efficiency ….how apt that Rees Mogg should head up this oxymoron.

So true.

I did wonder why the partygaters weren’t working from home instead of building up grief for Johnson. I would not be surprised if JRM rates self interest over efficiency in his decision making. He might be considering the common shopkeeper and his favourite tiffin shop has failed to reopen.

JRM has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo.

... the 19th century status quo.

He's an arch, patriarchal Conservative who probably can't get to grips with uppity proles, uppity women, and those state-educated "plant pots" (his description of them) who aspire to break the mould.

I'm convinced he desires that pre-war England of ‘old maids bicycling to holy communion through the morning mist’ and John Major's "country of long shadows on county grounds, warm beer, invincible green suburbs, dog lovers and pools fillers"

... and civil servants returning to their desks.

I'm afraid this seems like more of the rhetoric of those who present as the 'slave-owning', 'serf-owning', 'we were born to rule' 'class' that has infected the Conservative party.

I wonder why they are so frightened? Is it that if the person is not there to be bullied, they will not work? Many companies have found productivity has increased when people are working from home. These current Tory leaders seem to see themselves in an incredibly antediluvian way. They keep trying to take us backwards to inequality and the idea of a "master" class.

Yes what Dickens says he cant cope with any level of change and has a very fixed view of how things should be. The fact that people may live in a different way to him is quite upsetting for him.

Galaxy

Yes what Dickens says he cant cope with any level of change and has a very fixed view of how things should be. The fact that people may live in a different way to him is quite upsetting for him.

He's been raised as a Catholic. That world is ordered, pre-ordained. Even I, as an atheist, understand its appeal... it is structured and 'safe'.

And if your wealth and status relies on maintaining that world then any deviation from it is a threat to both.

Personally, I don't think he should form part of any government - not because he's a Catholic - but because his resistance to 'change' is not based on logic, pragmatism or any understanding of cultural or economic evolution.

But I understand his resistance - don't most of us want an ordered and structured life that gives a certain sense of security?

This won’t be happening in Wales. The sensible decision to reduce the number of people travelling to work to increase our green footprint has been made.

Even that bastion of inefficiency and waste - according to some GN members - the European Commission is moving on to an average of two days/week in the office and a consequent reduction in the number of buildings.

I had no idea that such a post existed……that Rees Mogg is the minister. Words fail me completely!

His full job title is Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

The government is living in a different world from the rest of us. Not a particularly pleasant world.

They have shown themselves to be uncaring about just about every single issue that is affecting the UK population; covid, climate change, adverse effects of Brexit, disintegrating NHS, increased poverty, sewage discharges, asylum seekers and more.

I'm hard put to find what they actually are doing in the way of governing the UK...

I don't think that being a Roman catholic excuses or explains Rees Mogg in any way. I know a great many RCs through my volunteering. They are not such unpleasant, uncaring people as he is.

I am all in favour of hybrid office working. To me it gives parents of young children the flexibility to avoid having to use a nursery from early morning to early evening every day. Parents can share eg one takes early morning slot with the kids and one the late afternoon. More time with the children and in many cases a lot less travel time. Win win.

For those who say people take advantage and don’t work’ non stop at home do they honestly think every office worker is fully engaged from 9-5 ? Those who take advantage at home would take advantage in the office.

And the day I approve of something JRM says is the day my rather fetching Panama will find itself on the lunch menu.

My DD who has an office in Glasgow has been mainly working from home, on line and via video links. She reckons that she has worked productively for an extra 2 hours each day - the time she used to spend commuting and as a bonus no longer has to work unpaid overtime at weekends to catch up on tasks which could not be completed within the 40 hour working week. Plus saved a fortune in travel costs. - What's not to like?

I don't think that being a Roman catholic excuses or explains Rees Mogg in any way. I know a great many RCs through my volunteering. They are not such unpleasant, uncaring people as he is.

... Catholics vary - as do other religious adherents.

JRM is an arch Conservative Catholic.

Compare him with Pope Francis... who believes the Pandemic has underlined our shared vulnerability and mutual dependency. A fresh emphasis on looking out for each other, claims the pope, can become the theme of a more generous and caring post-pandemic politics (from an interview last year discussing his book, Let Us Dream).

Chalk and Cheese.

But Catholicism is a structured ideology (as are other religions) and this, surely, has a huge effect on people's attitudes and outlook?

midgey

I had no idea that such a post existed……that Rees Mogg is the minister. Words fail me completely!

I’m with you !!

Coastpath

His full job title is Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

well, he won't be very busy then! Not many Brexit opportunities or government efficiency. All sounds a but made up to me, like giving the failed prefect the job of pencil monitor as compensation.

GillT57

Coastpath

His full job title is Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

well, he won't be very busy then! Not many Brexit opportunities or government efficiency. All sounds a but made up to me, like giving the failed prefect the job of pencil monitor as compensation.

???

GillT57

Coastpath

His full job title is Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency.

well, he won't be very busy then! Not many Brexit opportunities or government efficiency. All sounds a but made up to me, like giving the failed prefect the job of pencil monitor as compensation.

??

I'm not sure the Party quite know what to do with him.

... so yes - they've given him the equivalent job of Pencil and Desk-Inkwell Monitor.

By his own admission, the Brexit benefits could take decades to materialise so he could be in for a long stint.

Contrary to what most Brexiters think about Remainers, I actually hope he does find some "opportunities", we desperately need them. But when he does find them, I'm not sure they'll benefit the public at large in any way that makes a huge impact on our way of life...