NHS reforms

[Rigadon]

Can someone explain what is hypocritical about defending the NHS from privatisation but paying for an annual check up?

Those are both things I'd do.

[wjfox]

It's a total non-story.

[Octoman]

Originally Posted by Rigadon

Can someone explain what is hypocritical about defending the NHS from privatisation but paying for an annual check up?

Those are both things I'd do.

Given the general views Ken vocalises I would say this matters. It's not a killer along the lines of his tax avoidance schemes but taking into account the bigger picture this is another blow.

Quite frankly I have always thought that anyone who represents left wing politics has no right to use private healthcare or send their kids to private school. In fact, I dont think they should have private health club or golf club memberships either. Labour if it was truly representing the left would ban its MPs from having any of these things. Likewise, I dont think Green party members should be allowed to own cars.

[larven]

Originally Posted by wjfox

It's a total non-story.

Only if you don't want Boris re-elected.

It's just another hole in his sinking campaign.

[Rigadon]

Sending a kid to private school but believing in state education is not hypocritical (as opposed to criticising the use of private schools then using them). However it is an indication that the state system isn't good enough, which isn't a good message if you are in government.

Using private health care could also be seen as a snub to the current standard of the NHS.

However nearly everybody admits that the NHSs limited funds does prevent them from providing the best possible care for all conditions and that it has to prioritise.

Secondly ken isn't in government or helping to run the NHS.

Lastly I don't think an annual check up is the same as treatment. Arguably the primary goal of a check up is to inform you of problems so that you can plan correctly or improve your diet/exercise etc rather than to cure you. It's compulsory for the mayor to have one for the benefit of colleagues not the Mayor. It's valuable to the health of the individual but not valuable enough to be paid for by the NHS.

I doubt there would be any issue about using private health care for laser eye correction.


If Ken has critisced users of private health for distracting health workers from NHS work then he might be a hypocrite but as presently explained I can't see any evidence of hypocrisy. I'd be pleased if somebody could explain rather than just state that the story is significant.

Not that's it's relavant but as an outsider I thought Ken had a positive impact as mayor and thought electing a guy who plays te buffoon card was an unnecassry risk. In fact Boris seems to have had a positive impact too and so I'm ambivalent about who wins this time

[alphaxion]

Anything which keeps Boris away from being the leader of the torys is a good thing

Of course, the downside to that is if he is shown to be quite adept at running London it means he stands a better chance of running the country too >.<

Maybe the yanks were on the right track with that little trip out to Texas

[WatcherZero]

You know theres something wrong with this Government when the NHS, Pasty Tax and Granny Tax lords amendments are easily defeated but what really stretches the Governments majority is a Conservative amendment attempting to keep immobile caravans VAT free.

[wjfox]

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page...etter#petition