It seems the Conlib (Oh alright Tory) proposals for the NHS in England are in trouble firstly the Libdems voice considerable opposition at their Spring conference and Nick Clegg has expressed that he would like to reform the proposals , which would see primary care trusts abolished and GP's handed responsibility for commissioning health services.
This has led to to Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary announcing that the NHS are to be delayed to allow "more time for consultation",.
Of course we in Wales are not immediately threated by these "reforms" but be in no doubt that if they go through then Westminster due to the fact that they control the purse strings will put pressure on the governments in the devolved legislatures to copy these measures.
However I believe Lansley plans may change somewhat after May.
There can be no doubt that the Libdems are in for a drubbing on May 5th in the local elections in England and Welsh and Scottish votes .
So there will be much disgruntlement amongst members of the Party after that date, and calls to quit the coalition. but if the AV referendum was lost then one of the main reasons for joining the Tories in Government will be removed.
So David Cameron will need to throw Nick Clegg a bone and that could well be scrapping the controversial plans for NHS changes in England thereby given Clegg a popular victory.
I am not advocating a NO vote (the loss of Libdem seats may well be enough) I advocate a different method which you can see on the right. but these proposals are a idealogical step to privatising the NHS throughout the UK and if they are scrapped after May 5th then Nick Clegg can have his moment of glory and public appreciation he certainly will not get many in the next four years.
2 comments:
I don't think the developments in the NHS (can we stop calling it 'national' unless, that is we're refering to Wales, Scotland and England as the nations) will effect Wales.
I have to say I'm slightly skeptical of the knee-jerk reaction to NHS 'reform'. I just want a system that works. I mean the NHS in Wales is more ideologically 'pure' but it doesn't necessarily mean it's better than England. In fact having different NHSs across the UK gives us the opportunity to learn from mistakes and also best practice.
Has the reaction to NHS privatisation really been knee-jerk? I don't think so. The Keep the NHS Public campaign has been active for years, starting from when Tony Blair began privatising the NHS in England.
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