Dominic McGregor, the ex-co-founder of multimillion-pound global corporation Social Chain and current co-founder of VC firm Fearless Adventures, has voiced his criticism of Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer’s recent assertion that he will finish work at 6pm on Fridays.
McGregor, known for his straightforward and candid perspectives, has dismissed this declaration as mere virtue signalling, questioning both its feasibility and sincerity.
“It’s just virtue signalling,” McGregor stated bluntly. “The PM is making a statement for the sake of it rather than saying something he actually believes is possible. Of course, he’s going to work past 6pm; it’s the nature of the job and it’s expected within the responsibility of being the leader of the country. That never stops and ultimately the buck stops with him, so he will have to be available as often as is required. I just can’t see this 6pm ideology being the case. I just think this is a virtue signalling statement, rather than realistic intent or even possible.”
McGregor’s skepticism highlights a broader concern within the business community regarding the practicality of such political promises. The Prime Minister’s pledge to ‘clock off’ at 6pm comes amid his ambitious campaign to ‘Fix Broken Britain,’ a slogan that resonated strongly with voters and played a significant role in the Labour Party’s recent electoral victory. However, McGregor argues that the scale of the work ahead is immense and requires a relentless work ethic.
“With the sheer amount of work that needs doing, it will take twice as long if you work half as much. I think there’s definitely a requirement to put in some long and hard shifts initially to bring about the changes he promised. That’s what we want to see from people in charge of the country. Commitment to delivering on the promises they made that swung the votes, to prove they are willing to go the extra mile for the country, just as he promised he would do under the Labour government,” McGregor added.
McGregor’s critique underscores a significant tension in modern political discourse: the balance between signaling values and enacting practical, actionable policies. For business leaders and entrepreneurs like McGregor, the emphasis is on tangible results and a tireless commitment to meeting goals, especially in times of national challenge. His comments suggest that for the Prime Minister to maintain credibility and effectively lead, he must demonstrate a willingness to go beyond symbolic gestures and engage in the rigorous, often relentless work required to achieve substantive change.
In the fast-paced world of business, where success is measured by results and dedication, McGregor’s perspective offers a stark reminder of the expectations placed on those in positions of power. The business community will be watching closely to see if Starmer’s actions match his promises, and whether his leadership can withstand the scrutiny and demands of both political and economic arenas.
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Starmer finishing work at 6pm on Fridays: It’s Just Virtue Signalling!