How Lansley won over the Lords
James Forsyth 7:29pm
As Ben Brogan wrote this week, the House of Lords is threatening to become one of the
biggest obstacles to the coalition’s reform agenda. But the way in which the Health and Social Care Bill was steered through its second reading in the upper house does provide a model for how
even the trickiest votes can be won.
Andrew Lansley’s much derided operation got this one right. It realised months ago that the crucial thing was to stop the crossbenchers voting against the bill en masse. So, the health minister in the Lords, Earl Howe, and Lansley’s long-serving aide Jenny Jackson have been on a cup of tea offensive for the last few months, seeking to explain the bill to any crossbencher who would listen. Some of them are now among the most elite group in the country: they actually understand what the government is trying to do to the NHS.
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toco
October 13th, 2011 8:44pm Report this commentThe answer is commonsense prevailed-we all know much needs to be done to connect the NHS to current and expected demands and to provide those members in the front line with far more authority and responsibility.The much maligned Andrew Lansley is to be praised and congratulated.
David L
October 14th, 2011 9:28am Report this commentThe lion's share of teh credit for getting the Bill through its second reading in the Lords must go to Earl Howe, who has held the Health portfolio for many years in opposition, and is liked and respected. I doubt if Lansley could have done it without him.
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