James Timpson is the new Prisons Minister, and people think he was a shoo-in – 13 key reactions
With most of Keir Starmer‘s Cabinet having transferred directly from their previous brief in the Shadow Cabinet, it was good to see a couple of surprise appointments.
There’s an actual respected scientist in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
Sir Patrick Vallance KCB has been appointed Minister of State (Minister for Science) in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk. pic.twitter.com/eRnsu5eAQO
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2024
A very happy-looking Ed Miliband is back in government as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP @Ed_Miliband as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero @energygovuk. pic.twitter.com/bYAE87fr1X
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2024
Perhaps most surprising, James Timpson – CEO of the shoe repair and key-cutting company – has been given a position well suited to the man who has done so much for prisoner rehabilitation.
James Timpson OBE @JamesTCobbler has been appointed Minister of State (Minister for Prisons, Parole and Probation) in the Ministry of Justice @MoJGovUK. pic.twitter.com/qJr6p1AKP3
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) July 5, 2024
Here he is explaining what he’d do if he could change the culture of sentencing in the UK.
Watch this it’s fascinating – I asked James Timpson what he’d do about prisons and sentencing if he was in charge. He believes only a third of prisoners in jail should definitely be there. He’s now in charge of prisons (but not sentencing). pic.twitter.com/0Ddt0yojAG
— Krishnan Guru-Murthy (@krishgm) July 6, 2024
It makes a change to have a Prime Minister who is in favour of appointing cobblers rather than spouting it.
The announcement went down very well online.
1.
Timpson’s are well-known for employing ex-offenders to help them back into work. They pay their tax. They value their staff. And then there’s this.
CEO James Timpson (who’s also Chair of the Prison Reform Trust) is the new Prisons Minister. Great appointment pic.twitter.com/tecb56W2HB
— Samuel West (@exitthelemming) July 5, 2024
2.
It really is a contrast to see James Timpson – a man who has used his business to offer opportunity and hope – entering the lords pick up the job of fixing prisons, while Chris Grayling gets a peerage for utterly destroying the probation service.
Really, thank god they’re gone.
— Hannah Fearn (@hannahfearn) July 6, 2024
3.
This has the potential to be an absolutely incredible appointment.
I need to sit down. https://t.co/MvP1c9tjtv
— The Secret Barrister (@BarristerSecret) July 5, 2024
4.
Hang on, we're putting people in roles that they're qualified to hold now?!
That's a bold new approach!— Daniel ॐ (@DannyDutch) July 5, 2024
5.
Congratulations @JamesTCobbler Fantastic news – both for you and prisons, parole and probation. Great to have somebody who really believes in the power of rehabilitation and enabling people to rejoin society as positive contributing members of the community.
— Jennifer Bridge MBE (@JennBridge) July 5, 2024
6.
Really like this appointment, JT seems dead sound. https://t.co/WXb4pyqlXs
— Sooz Kempner is doing Edinburgh and then a tour (@SoozUK) July 6, 2024
7.
Superb. This is the best casting I have seen of any box set. https://t.co/QrgM4y3kMp
— emily m (@maitlis) July 5, 2024
There were a few jokes floating around, too.
8.
I thought it would be a novel idea to appoint a Prisons Minister who knows the system inside out, actually employs hundreds of former prisoners and understands the power of rehabilitation. https://t.co/QGXwXjgbpw
— Parody Keir Starmer (@Parody_PM) July 5, 2024
9.
All I'm saying is that if *I* was trying to pull off the biggest jailbreak in history, I'd establish myself as the world's most beloved keycutter, and then get appointed Prisons Minister.
— Geoff Lloyd (@GeoffLloyd) July 5, 2024
10.
The elephant in the room here, is that we've just put someone in charge of prisons who cuts keys to order.
— HENRY MORRIS (@mrhenrymorris) July 5, 2024
11.
Whoever suggested giving the Prisons Minister job to James Timpson deserves a trophy – and I know just the person to get one from
— Olaf Falafel (@OFalafel) July 6, 2024
12.
Great to see jobs going to key workers https://t.co/ABfjiCz58t
— Stephen Grant (@stephencgrant) July 5, 2024
13.
James Timpson arriving in Starmer's office. pic.twitter.com/XU48oOEenm
— John Rain (@ItsJohnRain) July 5, 2024
This post from a couple of weeks ago suddenly seems more relevant.
Rachel Reeves, the Shadow Chancellor, popped in to our shop in Stafford today for a couple of errands. After a quick training session the jobs were done….a new key cut and then an engraved disc so she knew which door it was for! pic.twitter.com/awaDtysFua
— James Timpson (@JamesTCobbler) June 18, 2024
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Whichever BBC camera operator did this, give yourself a pay rise and take next week off