Tag Archive
Observations from Labour Party Conference 2011 – 5: “I’m not Tony Blair. I’m not Gordon Brown either.”
The first really big applause line in Ed Miliband’s Leader’s Speech this afternoon was his affirmation that he would be true to himself, his own instincts and values. And the big roar of approval came when he said: “You know, I’m not Tony Blair. I’m not Gordon Brown either. Great men, who in their... »
Lib Dem activists face reality about their MPs’ NHS vision
Lib Dem activists this week face the harsh reality their party is now an active supporter of the Tory’s neo-liberal NHS reforms, writes Trevor Cheeseman. »
Weightloss Update
Calories (noun) Tiny creatures that live in your wardrobe and sew your clothes a bit tighter every night If you’re one of the few dozen people who return to read this blog reasonably regularly, you might recall that I recently … Continue re... »
Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords uses the “… or the baby gets it” ploy
The Government Chief Whip in the House of Lords is the Baroness Anelay of St Johns and she was wearing her best Steel Magnolia visage this afternoon when she moved that the Welfare Reform Bill should be committed to a Grand Committee. I should explain that committal to a Grand Committee means that the... »
Support for carers (and work with Labour) essential if Cameron is serious about Big Society
One of the downsides (or should that be upsides?) of being moderately well known, and very accessible via social media, is that you get bombarded with people asking for time, money, contacts, ideas and expertise for their (invariably) good causes. On twitter, there is rarely a day, and some days rarely an hour, that... »
The two faces of NHS reform
Health minister Lord Howe told private healthcare execs the NHS reforms create “genuine opportunities” for the private sector to take over large chunks of the NHS. »
Guido swallows Tory MP’s NHS spin
Right wing blogger Guido Fawkes appears to have swallowed hook, line and sinker Tory MP Stephen Phillips’s spin on the NHS and attacks on 38 Degrees. »
Safe in Cameron’s hands? Waiting times for treatments, tests, and A&E all up
With Parliament set to debate the Health Bill this week, new research shows 1.4 million waiting longer than the target times for treatment, diagnostics and A&E. »
Baroness Williams: Coalition “bewitched by a flawed US system”
Shirley Williams still has "huge concerns" over the coalition's NHS reforms, and says ministers have been "bewitched" by the "flawed" US healthcare system. »
Why I’m Changing My Ways And Weight
I’ve been overweight for years now. It’s never bothered me too much. I get the odd comment from drunk fools, and I have to listen to doctors lecturing me about obesity, and sometimes it’s difficult to find clothes in my … Contin... »
The ‘Dalits’ of Dale Farm have needs too
The case of the Travellers illegally camped at Dale Farm who are set to be forcibly evicted shines a rare spotlight on to the lives of traveller communities. »
If anti-abortionists have their way on counselling, what will they demand next?
The change in the law on counselling leads us down a slippery slope; if the anti-choice zealots have their way on this, they will demand much, much more. »
New warnings over UK cancer drug divide
The Rarer Cancer Foundation (RCF) has issued a warning that a “devastating” divide is opening up over access to cancer drugs between England, Scotland and Wales. »
Cameron needs to take more care of police and military
David Cameron’s self-confidence is a trait much commented upon by those who see him close up. Given the sheer scale of issues a PM has to deal with, and the relentlessness of the pressure, it is no bad thing that he possesses it in plenty. But it is not a good quality if it... »
Total Politics 2011 Blog Awards
I gather that the Total Politics Blog Awards are now in progress. I want to make it quite clear that I will not be in the least bit affronted should you chose to vote for this blog by clicking here. »
Tameside Hospital – Glossop Question Time
With Tameside Hospital still hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons, and the forthcoming resignation of the hospital trust chairman, a local question time taking place in Glossop may be quite well attended.The meeting which starts at 6.30pm on Mon... »
A rare venture into poetry – and yet another outlet for my madness
After yesterday’s guest blog on happiness, today I turn to the subject of madness, more specifically my own. I was approached a few months ago and asked to write a poem for a book being prepared by Bovington Middle School in Dorset, to raise money both for the school’s English deparment and for Help... »
A welcome addition to the depression campaign library – this time from a top footballer
A break from politics and the press today, and instead three of my other interests – football, mental illness and plugging books. No, not my own books, though these are available here here here here here and the latest one, Power and Responsibility, here. Oh, and you can pre-order the next one, The Burden... »
Though cost is important, we need to focus on the quality of social care
Whilst questions of finance have dominated recent debates it is important that we also focus on the quality of care, writes Laura Bradley, a researcher at IPPR. »
NHS reforms: a pyrrhic victory?
So, government reform plans stymied. The smile wiped off Cameron’s face. Lansley humiliated. Been rather a good few weeks, hasn’t it?Not so fast. A few thoughts, before we raise our glasses in unrestrained Schadenfreude, might give us pause.Wha... »
Doctors prefer Wales to England as BMJ calls for Health Bill to be ditched
As the BMA gathers for its annual conference in Cardiff, a new survey has found that of 5,000 Welsh doctors questioned, 86% said they prefer working in Wales. »
Northern Ireland health minister warns of “thousands” of job losses
Northern Ireland health minister Edwin Poots has hinted that free prescriptions could come to an end as part of efforts to address a £177 million shortfall. »
Whacking public services now a clear political strategy to match economic strategy of cuts
I was surprised there were no ministers at the Local Government Awards organised by the Municipal Journal last night. It was one of those events at which, if memory serves me right, Labour always tried to ensure a ministerial presence. But I didn’t have to be there for long to pick up the feeling... »
Cameron must do details
It is not easy being Prime Minister, having to keep on top of lots of pesky details across Whitehall. It can also be a major cause of inertia if you strike the wrong balance between strategy and substance: look at Gordon Brown's first year as PM as a l... »
From Dream school to a real school making a real difference; and meeting Big Brother Lansley
Why did it have to be Piers Morgan who spotted the spelling error – I am OBSESSED about spelling – in my tweet from a school in Harrow? No, not that school in Harrow, but St Gregory’s Catholic Science College, a comprehensive not far from the well-known public school. Piers was quick to point... »
I hope someone asks Cameron about Guardian splash on mental health at his press conference
Like many mental health campaigners, I gave Nick Clegg the benefit of the doubt when he outlined the government’s strategy for mental health in February. To save you reading the whole thing, here is the last sentence of the piece I posted then … ‘This has never been the sexiest or easiest issue in... »
Government legislative timetable in a mess – who is to blame?
Last Thursday, the sweetly formidable Government Chief Whip in the Lords, Baroness Anelay of St Johns announced last Thursday that the House of Lords would be returning to work on 3rd October rather than 10th October this year after the Summer recess (ignoring the two week September sitting that will interrupt the recess). This will mean that... »
Lucas: Drug addiction should be a health issue not a criminal one
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas sets out her calls for a new approach to dealing with drugs, and says drug addiction should be a health issue not a criminal one. »
The Miliband Fightback
Those who have criticised the leadership of Ed Miliband may be backing down on their words today. At Prime Minister’s Questions, the Labour leader slammed the Prime Minister over the benefit proposals that will leave people recovering from cancer, financially short. Miliband went on to call the Prime Minister an ‘absolute disgrace’. Now more... »
Cameron’s NHS speech does nothing to address criticisms of health professionals
Dr. Ron Singer, a practising doctor and member of the Medical Practitioners Union - a part of Unite - on David Cameron's speech on the NHS reforms last week. »