Labour's next rebellion
James Forsyth 3:42pm
Mark Mardell has a fascinating post up about a forthcoming EU directive that would allow people to travel to another member state for medical treatment. Left-wing Labour MPs like Frank Dobson are, in typical levelling down fashion, worried about what this will do to the NHS as patients flee our MRSA-ridden hospitals.
Already 33 MPs are objecting to it, worried that people might—heaven forefend—receive treatment from a non-state provider abroad and then claim the money back from their local health authority. Will this be the issue that revives Euro-scepticism on the soft-left?
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David Lindsay
December 12th, 2007 4:15pm Report this commentWell, it might do. But what really should and will is the EU Constitreaty, assuming that someone (SNP? DUP?) puts down an amendement which does not mention a referendum, but rather simply rejects the thing itself on principle. What on earth would Michael Heseltine's mini-me do then, with no diversionary tactic of calling for a referendum which he knows isn't going to happen? Vote against the Constitreaty itself? Hardly! So save it on the floor of the House, then, since it would certainly be lost there otherwise? Come on Salmond and Paisley, you're still being paid as MPs, so you might as well act as such.
Max Kaye
December 12th, 2007 4:44pm Report this commentThe thought of the EU destroying our 'wonderful' NHS undermines my EUrosceptic tendencies.
KIRSTY
December 12th, 2007 7:25pm Report this commentTHIS DIRECTIVE IS MORE LIKELY TO RESULT IN YET MORE PEOPLE COMING TO THE UK AND GETTING FREE NHS TREATMENT THAN THE OTHER WAY AROUND BECAUSE WHY PAY FOR HEALTH CARE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES WHEN THEY CAN COME HERE AND GET IT FOR FREE!
Alex, London
December 12th, 2007 11:14pm Report this comment"Left-wing Labour MPs like Frank Dobson" ... are not all Labour MPs left wing?
Chris
December 13th, 2007 7:54am Report this commentThe idea that anyone will come here to risk the attentions of the NHS is ridiculous. Vast numbers of our pensioners move abroad with the hope of getting decent health care in mind. Anything which forces the NHS to change must be good news. AND STOP SHOUTING KIRSTY.
Austin Barry
December 13th, 2007 7:54am Report this commentWow, a chance to combine foreign travel with an escape from the Hogarthian nightmare of NHS hospitals. Bring it on.
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