The exodus from Liverpool has begun, following Ed Miliband’s speech. This means that there will be scant coverage of the
events that occur hereafter. Shadow Health Secretary John Healey recognised this and gave an interview to this morning’s Guardian in order to highlight the speech he will make tomorrow. Healey is clear,
as Ed Miliband was earlier this afternoon, that the government’s NHS reforms are a costly disaster and betrayal of the British people. Healey adds that they also threaten David Cameron, who
has made “promises he is now breaking”.
It’s good political posturing on a ‘Home’ issue for Labour. There is no indication that Healey will say anything new tomorrow, which is scarcely surprising as his strategy has been to defend the status quo in the health service. The problem for Healey is that there is growing evidence that the NHS must reform to control spiralling costs. Last week, we learned that 60 hospitals risk financial ruin thanks to botched PFI deals and today’s Guardian reports that financial pressures are impeding clinical care: hospitals may have to close wards to save money.
These stories strengthen Lansley’s case and he is striving to salvage what remains of his political career after the trials of the spring, urging the need for reform. Opposition is arraigned against him, especially in the Lords, where some Tory peers are apparently poised to join Shirley Williams’ campaign for an amendment. Lansley’s challenge is to communicate his urgent rationale at next week’s Tory conference; otherwise he must soon be for the knackers’ yard.
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