In pictures: Presentation of the NHS Bill in parliament 11 March 2015

The NHS Bill was presented in Parliament on 11 March 2015.

Thank you to all the campaign groups and individuals that came to the House of Commons to support the NHS Bill: Keep Our NHS Public, Save Lewisham Hospital, Greenwich Keep Our NHS Public, 999 Call for the NHS, Keep our St Helier Hospital, Save our NHS – from Barts and Queen Mary’s medical school, Save our Hospitals (Ealing, Charing Cross, Hammersmith, Central Middlesex) and the National Health Action Party.

And thank you to all the MPs that supported the presentation of the Bill (and the additional MPs who attended the rally outside parliament): Caroline Lucas from the Green Party; Andrew George and John Pugh from the Liberal Democrats; Labour’s Katy Clark, Jeremy Corbyn, Roger Godsiff, Kelvin Hopkins, John McDonnell, Michael Meacher and Chris Williamson; SNP’s Stewart Hosie, Angus MacNeil, Mike Weir and Eilidh Whiteford; and Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams.

Co-author of the Bill, Peter Roderick answers questions about what the presentation of the NHS Bill means here but below are some pictures from the day.

 

1- Campaign group banners for NHS Bill

 

2- Photo Call for the NHS Bill

 

3 - Student nurses with Andrew George Caroline Lucas and Peter Roderick

 

4 Jeremy Corbyn Peter Roderick

 

5 London NHS Campaigners

 

6 Photographers with Peter Roderick and Caroline Lucas

 

7 Andrew George Caroline Lucas Peter Roderick and Tony O'Sullivan

 

You can support the campaign by asking your MP and prospective parliamentary candidates whether they would back an NHS Reinstatement Bill to be in the next Queen’s Speech.

Take action here.


What happened on March 11th? Peter Roderick answers

Peter Roderick11th March 2015 was a milestone for the campaign.
But what happened and why was it important?
We put some questions to the co-author of the NHS Reinstatement Bill, barrister Peter Roderick.

 

What happened today?
12 MPs from 5 political parties tabled the National Health Service Bill in the House Commons, based on the second version of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

Why is that important?
It’s important because we’ve now got the Bill into Parliament with cross-party support, so it can’t be easily dismissed.

A Bill was the start of the law-making process to create the NHS, and we won’t get it back without starting that process again.

 

We can see you had fun standing around in the sunshine talking to MPs, but what was the point?
Yes it was fun and sunny, but the point was to let people see and know what was going on and to take heart that there are a lot of people who don’t accept the dismantling of the NHS and who are working seriously to reverse it.

What is the point in doing this at this stage in the parliamentary cycle, isn’t it all too late?
True, the Bill will fall at the end of March when Parliament closes down for the election campaign. But it’s a serious piece of proposed legislation which candidates can support during the election campaign – and as a marker for after the election against which to test government proposals.

MPs supporting the presentation of the NHS Bill

L to R: Eilidh Whiteford MP, Mike Weir MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP, Stewart Hosie MP, Andrew George MP, Angus MacNeil MP, Caroline Lucas MP, Peter Roderick and Chris Williamson MP (hidden). Pictured with campaigners and student nurses.

Which MPs were supporting you today?
The Bill was presented by Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, and supported by 11 other MPs – the maximum number allowed – here’s the list:

Andrew George, Lib Dem, St Ives
John Pugh, Lib Dem, Southport
Katy Clark, Labour, North Ayrshire and Arran
Jeremy Corbyn, Labour, Islington North
Roger Godsiff, Labour, Birmingham Sparkbrook
Kelvin Hopkins, Labour, Luton North
John McDonnell, Labour, Hayes and Harlington
Michael Meacher, Labour, Oldham West and Royton
Chris Williamson, Labour, Derby North
Eilidh Whiteford, SNP, Banff and Buchan
Hywel Williams, Plaid Cymru, Arfon

That’s just a smattering of MPs, if the mainstream Labour MPs aren’t yet backing it, what chance has the Bill got?
True, but Labour’s not monolithic, there’s an election about to happen, and mainstream today is not necessarily mainstream tomorrow – its centre of gravity won’t shift if we give a depressed shrug.

Doesn’t this Bill promote another top down re-organisation?
I am sensitive to these genuine concerns, but the 2012 Act was a dismantling, not a reorganisation. The evidence of disorganisation, fragmentation and incoherence is already mounting. We want to put the NHS back together again based on its founding principles, and we’re proposing to do it with a new locally-led, bottom-up approach with the Secretary of State’s oversight to make sure it works throughout England.

You can support the campaign by asking your MP and prospective parliamentary candidates whether they would back an NHS Reinstatement Bill to be in the next Queen’s Speech.

Take action here.


John Pugh MP backs the NHS Reinstatement Bill

John Pugh, the Liberal Democrat MP for Southport, has stated his support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

On 11th March 2015, John Pugh MP supported Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, when she tabled the National Health Service Bill – the NHS Bill – in the House of Commons. The NHS Bill was based on the second version of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

The last thing the NHS needs now is yet another top down reorganisation. The NHS Reinstatement Bill provides a good basis for a better direction of travel for the NHS. 

There are many risks which need to be dealt with. The public sector ethos of the NHS is at risk.  The current dynamics and structures within the NHS means that the risk of fragmentation has been heightened. The private sector is camped on the front lawn of core NHS services, preying on the NHS and cherry picking its easiest and most profitable services.  

These factors merely increase the risks and financial challenges, potentially resulting in further pressure to follow the market dogma and purchaser/provider environment which we believe has contributed to the present difficulties in the NHS.

The NHS Reinstatement Bill sets down a marker; a starting point for discussion and planning amongst those who care about the future of our NHS and who want the next Government to respond positively.

Joint statement by John Pugh and Andrew George MP, 11 March 2015

 

You can support the campaign by asking your MP and prospective parliamentary candidates whether they would back an NHS Reinstatement Bill to be in the next Queen’s Speech.

Take action here.


Andrew George MP backs the NHS Bill

Andrew George, the Liberal Democrat MP for St Ives, has been a key supporter of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

On 11th March 2015, Andrew George MP and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas co-sponsored the National Health Service Bill – the NHS Bill – when it was tabled in the House of Commons. The NHS Bill was based on the second version of the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

“There are many risks which need to be dealt with. The public sector ethos of the NHS is at risk. The current dynamics and structures within the NHS means that the risk of fragmentation has been heightened. The private sector is camped on the front lawn of core NHS services, preying on the NHS and cherry picking its easiest and most profitable services.

“The last thing the NHS needs now is yet another top down reorganisation. The NHS Reinstatement Bill provides a good basis for a better direction of travel for the NHS.”

Andrew George MP, 11 March 2015

3 - Student nurses with Andrew George Caroline Lucas and Peter Roderick

Andrew George MP, alongside Caroline Lucas MP, and barrister Peter Roderick (co-author of the NHS Reinstatement Bill), talking to student nurses on the day the NHS Bill was presented to parliament.

 

You can support the campaign by asking your MP and prospective parliamentary candidates whether they would back an NHS Reinstatement Bill to be in the next Queen’s Speech.

Take action here.


Photo-op: 11.30am, College Green, Wed 11 March

The NHS Reinstatement Bill – named in parliament the NHS Bill – will be presented by Caroline Lucas in the House of Commons on Wednesday 11 March. It will be co-sponsored by a cross party group of up to 12 MPs – including Liberal Democrat Andrew George, Labour’s Michael Meacher, SNP’s Stewart Hosie and Plaid Cymru’s Hywel Williams.

To mark this milestone, we will have a photo opportunity with any campaign groups who would like to come along at 11.30am on College Green, near the House of Commons. Everyone is welcome. Bring your banners. We hope that Caroline Lucas MP, Andrew George MP and some of the other supporting MPs will be able to join us.

 

What does ‘presenting’ the Bill mean?

It is a mechanism to publish the Bill formally in the House of Commons. Caroline Lucas will be asked who is introducing the Bill, read out the names of the other MPs, and will then walk three steps down the middle of the Commons, bow, take three more steps, bow again, and will then hand the Bill in at the table.  It will be read out by the clerk and will then be formally listed as one of this year’s bills.  Notionally Caroline Lucas will name a day for the Second Reading debate, although at this stage in the parliamentary cycle this will not happen before the General Election.

The full text of the Bill should be published shortly after, hopefully on Thursday 12th March. The published Bill will have a very small number of changes to the second version of the Bill we have prepared, and it should then be available on Parliament’s website.

Why is this important?

Whilst there is no parliamentary time to take the Bill any further in this parliament, this is an important milestone in showing cross-party support, and enabling other MPs to see the full text of the Bill.

Why now?

The NHS Reinstatement Bill was drafted in August 2014 by Professor Allyson Pollock and barrister Peter Roderick. There was a consultation period that finished in December 2014. Based on the consultation responses received, we published a second version of the Bill in February 2015. It is this second version, with a small number of changes, that will become ‘The NHS Bill’ as presented in parliament.

What next?

The aim of our campaign has always been to for people to ask their MP and parliamentary candidates to state their support for an NHS Reinstatement Bill to be included in the Queen’s Speech after the General Election.

You can help.

Take action – write to your MP and candidates today.


Dave Anderson MP supports the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill

Dave Anderson, Labour MP for Blaydon is backing the proposed NHS Reinstatement Bill.

“I would absolutely support an NHS Reinstatement Bill in the next parliament, and I’m delighted to tell you that Labour will repeal the Health and Social Care Act on being elected. I was formally the President of Unison the biggest trade union in health and proud that we always opposed the private sector leeching off our NHS and I will support moves to safeguard the service in public hands”.

Dave Anderson MP, March 2015

Does your MP support the NHS Reinstatement Bill? Ask them now.

Find out more about the NHS Reinstatement Bill.


999 Call for the NHS backs the campaign

Jo Adams Trafalgar SquareWe are really pleased to announce that 999 Call for the NHS are backing the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill.

The 999 Call for NHS is the people’s campaign for the NHS, inspired by a group of local mums from Darlington.

“The 999 Team are pleased to support and contribute to any bill that seeks to remove private health firms from the heart of our NHS. We want to see the Health Service completely renationalised and an end to the fragmentation and deconstruction of comprehensive healthcare. We welcome any bill that clearly aims to support this vital position.”

Joanna Adams, founder of 999 Call for the NHS

 

999 Call for the NHS are organising a convention for all NHS campaigners on Saturday 28th February in London.  Peter Roderick, lawyer and co-author of the NHS Reinstatement Bill will be speaking, and Alan Taman from the campaign will outline how you can help put pressure on politicians. Book your free place today.

 999 Call for the NHS Convention

 

See the full list of supporters of the Campaign for an NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015.

Please help support the campaign by asking your prospective parliamentary candidates to back an NHS Reinstatement Bill.


SNP support the NHS Reinstatement Bill

In January 2015, the SNP stated in a press release that they were ‘indicating support for the Campaign for an NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015 being pursued in England by, among others, Professor Allyson Pollock, Professor of Public Health Research and Policy.’

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the SNP said:

“The current Westminster agenda of austerity, privatisation and patient charging in the NHS in England threatens to harm Scotland’s budget, on which our NHS depends.

“Therefore, SNP MPs elected in May are prepared to vote for a Bill which would restore the National Health Service in England to the accountable public service it was always meant to be.

“Such a step would be good for England by giving people their health service back – and also represent enlightened self-interest for Scotland, by protecting the Scottish budget from the cuts which English privatisation are undoubtedly paving the way for. We want Scotland to be fully financially autonomous, but until that is achieved SNP MPs helping to reverse English health privatisation would be a vote in the Scottish national interest too.”

On 11 March 2015, when the NHS Bill was presented in the House of Commons, the SNP MPs – Stewart Hosie, Angus MacNeil, Mike Weir and Eilidh Whiteford all came to show their support.

On 17 April 2015 they reaffirmed their support in a press release.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This page was written prior to the General Election in May 2015. The information below is provided for historical interest only, and refers to individuals that were MPs and candidates prior to the General Election.

 

Below are the MPs and candidates that have added their personal support.

Mike WeirMike Weir
SNP MP
Angus

“I fully support the NHS Reinstatement Bill. The NHS is vitally important to us all and I personally have good reason to be thankful to the NHS. 

In Scotland the SNP Government have been very clear that we will not allow privatisation of the NHS. Although the Scottish NHS is devolved, however, the changes in the way it is funded in England could have a direct impact on the funding available to the Scottish NHS.

The Bill would prevent the privatisation of services in England and return the NHS to what it was intended to be. That would also remove the threat to funding for the Scottish NHS. This is a bill that we should fight for together in the best interests of all the peoples of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.”

EW headshot 2Dr Eilidh Whiteford
SNP MP
Banff and Buchan

“We are very fortunate in Scotland that our NHS remains well-funded and in public hands – true to the founding principles of the NHS.

Creeping privatisation is a threat to free NHS services across these islands and if re-elected, I will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those across the UK who wish to see our NHS remain in public hands.”

 

 

Dr Paul Monaghan
SNP parliamentary candidate,
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

“I fully support the restoration of England’s NHS and the campaign for an NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015.

“The policies of the current UK Government that aspire to privatise England’s NHS while simultaneously imposing austerity on vulnerable people are not in the public interest and will do nothing to promote wellbeing in any part of the UK. I want Scotland’s NHS to be protected from the requirements of patient charging and I want the people of England to be able to continue to access their health services free at the point of need.

“An NHS Reinstatement Bill will be good for the people of England and will help ensure that Scotland’s NHS can remain firmly in public ownership.”

Dr Philippa Whitford
SNP parliamentary candidate,
Central Ayrshire

“The NHS is one of Britain’s greatest achievements of the 20th century. Along with Social Security and free education, it saved and transformed lives. Sadly, in England, Social Security is being destroyed and free education is a thing of the past. Now the NHS is being broken up and franchised out for private firms to make profit from patients! This is destroying the cooperative and collaborative nature of the NHS. The SNP will be proud to support the NHS Re-establishment Bill to reverse privatisation in NHS England because, as well as helping those trying to save the NHS in England, we see that as the best way to protect our unified, public Scottish NHS.”

 

Chris Law
SNP parliamentary candidate,
Dundee West

“As the son of a senior nurse whom dedicated her life to the excellent work of the NHS and its core purpose, namely to serve the people of the UK and without prejudice I give my whole support to the NHS Reinstatement Bill.  The marketisation of a service to deliver health and well being to our nation is both abhorrent and will see the backroom deals done in favour of profits rather than people.”

 

 

Douglas Chapman
SNP prospective parliamentary candidate,
Dunfermline and West Fife

“The SNP have voted in the current Parliament to prevent the back-door privatisation of the health service by supporting the National Health Service (Amended Duties and Powers) Bill which would re-establish the Secretary of State’s legal duty to provide national health services in England. While responsibility for the NHS in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, any cuts to NHS funding in England have knock on implications for the Scottish block grant and result in cuts to the Scottish budget.

The current Westminster agenda of austerity, privatisation and patient charging in the NHS in England threatens to harm Scotland’s budget, on which our NHS depends. SNP MPs elected in May would be prepared to vote for a bill which would restore the national health service in England to the accountable public service it was always meant to be.”

John Nicolson SNP candidate East DunbartonshireJohn Nicolson
SNP prospective parliamentary candidate,
East Dunbartonshire

“The NHS in Scotland is a national asset and the SNP is determined to prevent privatisation, which is proceeding apace in England. We regard the dismantling of NHS England as a potential threat to our own NHS because our funding is linked to English public expenditure, through the Barnett formula.

If elected as SNP MP for East Dunbartonshire, I will look forward to supporting a NHS Reinstatement Bill.”

 

Lisa Cameron SNP candidate East Kilbride, Strathaven and LesmahagowDr Lisa Cameron
SNP parliamentary candidate,
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow

“I fully support the principles of the NHS Reinstatement Bill. 

“As a doctor in the Scottish NHS, I understand the effect which Westminster’s austerity economics is having on public services. As an SNP candidate, I fully support the premise that public services must be in public hands.  

“I would have no hesitation in voting to reintroduce a public NHS right across these islands in order to protect Scotland’s budget. With my experience in the NHS here in Scotland, I want to ensure we do not have any more cuts imposed on the Scottish budget – thus allowing the SNP Government here in Scotland to make our NHS healthier.”

Stewart McDonald SNP Glasgow SouthStewart McDonald
SNP parliamentary candidate,
Glasgow South

“I would be happy to support a bill which takes the NHS out of the hands of the private sector and restores it back to where it belongs; in public hands. This would undoubtedly help strengthen Scotland’s NHS, and if elected to the House of Commons then I would have a duty to do so.”

 

Roger Mullin, SNP - Kirkcaldy and CowdenbeathRoger Mullin
SNP parliamentary candidate,
Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath

“Anyone with a genuine concern for the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, will support a Bill which would restore the National Health Service in England to its rightful role as an accountable public service.  Privatization of the Health sector in England has serious consequences for the funding of Scotland’s NHS.  If elected I am therefore committed to voting for this or any similar Bill.”

 

Ian Blackford SNP - Ross, Skye and LochaberIan Blackford
SNP parliamentary candidate,
Ross, Skye and Lochaber

“I am more than happy to support your campaign. I like my party believe that the NHS ought to remain a public service delivered by the public sector.”

 

 

Margaret Ferrier
SNP, parliamentary candidate,
Rutherglen and Hamilton West

“We should be very proud of the fact that we have had universal health care for over 65 years now, free at the point of need. The NHS has been one of the greatest achievements of government to date.

“We are extremely lucky that Health in Scotland is a devolved matter however the privatisation of the NHS in England could have an impact on the budget we receive from the UK government.

“I believe that we need to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people who are calling for a halt to the destruction of the NHS in England, it should remain firmly in public hands. I would be happy if elected on May the 7th as an SNP MP to add my support in parliament to this Bill”

 

In addition to the personal statements above, the SNP candidates below have all stated:

“The current Westminster agenda of austerity, privatisation and patient charging in the NHS in England threatens to harm Scotland’s budget, on which our NHS depends.

If I am elected in May as an SNP MP, I would be prepared to vote for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015, which would restore the National Health Service in England to the accountable public service it was always meant to be.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you contacted your parliamentary candidates yet?

You can email, tweet or write – it only takes a minute – take action here.

Please let us know their replies, you can email us at: info@nhsbill2015.org


One Hundred on the Green: More Candidates Back Bill

April 2015 UPDATE – We now have over 200 candidates personally supporting the Campaign for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015. See the full list of individuals. The list below is NOT the most up to date.

Over one hundred Green Party candidates for the May General Election have given clear support for the NHS Reinstatement Bill 2015 and there is no sign of that support slowing down. A full list of supporting Green Party candidates is below, and you can also read quotes from many of them here.

But it isn’t just the Greens who are saying this is a good idea: the SNP last week supported the Bill, and more candidates are adding their support all the time. Showing that the NHS is a major election issue that transcends all parties – for all parties, and growing numbers of the public, who are getting behind this Campaign to put the Bill firmly on the agenda in the next Parliament. And so save the NHS from further fragmentation, privatisation, and destruction.

The NHS Reinstatement Bill is unique amongst proposals for changes to the law governing the NHS in having no party affiliation: it is non-partisan. It frames a clear mechanism to protect the NHS against the damage of privatisation, in overturning key aspects of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and earlier legislation that set the NHS in England on the road to fragmentation – often without public consultation, and nearly always without their full awareness.

Far from being yet another ‘top-down, centralised, re-structuring’, crucially it hands responsibility for provision of service back to the Secretary of State for Health, something the HSCA severed – thereby effectively uncoupling ultimate responsibility for the NHS from Parliament. It also spells out how, if the NHS is to be saved, it must abolish competition and the false myth of ‘the market’ in the NHS, re-establish true accountability to the public,  safeguard the NHS against privatisation, and continue to protect the full range of services that the NHS provides.

We’re delighted so many Green Party candidates have voiced their support. It’s encouraging to see candidates for a party which stands for responsible public ownership and an eye to the legacy we leave our descendants say they are behind us. Members of the public, parliamentary candidates, health professionals: all are coming forward to say enough is enough – and this Bill is the way back to a future health service we can be proud to think of protecting.  Helping the Campaign is easy: ask your parliamentary candidates to say what they think of the NHS Reinstatement Bill and let us know.

We all have this one chance to save our one health service: don’t let it pass you by by doing nothing. 

The list of candidates so far:

James Abbott Witham
David Akan Hammersmith
Abbey Akinoshun Greenwich and Woolwich
Claire Allen Pudsey
Shahrar Ali Brent Central
Tim Andrewes St Ives
Chas Ball Colne Valley
Lucy Bannister Manchester, Withington
Geoff Barnes Gainsborough
Charles Barraball Wimbledon
Scott Bartle Brent North
Jonathan Bartley Streatham
Pippa Bartolotti Newport West
Ian Baxter Midlothian
Katy Beddoe Caerphilly
Natalie Bennett Holborn and St Pancras
Darren Bisby-Boyd Peterborough
Kate Bisson Leeds East
Katharina Boettge Nottingham North
Martin Brampton Middlesborough South and East Cleveland
Dave Brooks Elmet and Rothwell
Andrew Brown Skipton and Ripon
Frances Bryant Preseli Pembrokeshire
Janet Burnet South Dorset
Lewis Campbell Dunfermline and West Fife
Chris Carmichael Brecon and Radnorshire
Tom Chance Lewisham West and Penge
Phil Chandler Morecambe and Lunesdale
Mike Cherrington Darlington
Tony Clarke Northampton North
Chris Coates Lancaster and Fleetwood
Rachel Collinson West Ham
Gill Coombs Totnes
Andrew Cooper Huddersfield
Martin Corney South East Cornwall
Jon Cousins Wells
Alison Craig Salisbury
Peter Cranie Liverpool, Wavertree
Jillian Creasy Sheffield Central
Adrian Cruden Dewsbury and Mirfield
Helen Davison Carlisle
Bob Dennett Fylde
David Derbyshire North Somerset
Martin Dobson Liverpool, Riverside
Nicola Dodgson East Surrey
James Doyle East Worthing and Shoreham
Vicky Duckworth Dudley South
Vicky Dunn Great Grimsby
Andrew Durling Eastbourne and Willingdon
Tony Dyer Bristol South
Cath Edwards The Wrekin
Graham Elliott Waveney
Jonathan Elmer Durham City
Jonathan Essex Reigate
Charlotte Farrell High Peak
Jacquetta Fewster Mole Valley
Heather Finley Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Tony Firkins Feltham and Heston
David Flint Enfield North
Derek Florey Bracknell
Shirley Ford South Shields
Neil Franks Mid Worcestershire
Andree Frieze Richmond Park
Paul Frost Mansfield
Jon Fuller Southend West
Geoff Garbett Cambourne, Redruth and Hayle
Peter Garbutt Sheffield Hallam
Stella Gardiner Bexleyheath and Crayford
Helen Geake Bury St Edmunds
Charlotte George Hackney South and Shoreditch
Dominic Giles Stratford-upon-Avon
Daniel Goldsmith Brentford and Isleworth
Tim Goodall Leeds North West
Andrew Gray Newcastle upon Tyne East
Darrin Green Horsham
Tim Greene Haltemprice and Howden
Miles Grindey Fareham
Ashley Gunstock Leyton and Wanstead
Darren Hall Bristol West
Iain Hamilton Thornberry and Yate
Matthew Handley Coventry North East
Gulnar Hasnain Vauxhall
Julie Hawkins Northampton South
Michael Hayton Leeds Central
Martin Hemingway Morley and Outwood
Mark Hollinrake Rochdale
Adrian Holmes Norwich North
Michael Holt Hartlepool
Jonathan Hornett Corby and East Northamptonshire
Richard Howarth Beverley and Holderness
Guy Hudson Crawley
Alasdair Ibbotson Alyn and Deeside
Jonathan Ingleby Gloucester
Paul Jeater Braintree
Stuart Jeffrey Canterbury
Davy Jones Brighton Kemptown
Shasha Khan Croydon North
Talis Kimberley-Fairbourn South Swindon
Charlie Kiss Islington South and Finsbury
Ricky Knight North Devon
Keith Kondakor Nuneaton
Richard Lawson Weston-super-Mare
William Lavin Bermondsey & Old Southwark
Graham Lee Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Mark Lindop Gravesham
Robert Lindsay South Suffolk
Jacqui Lovell Stockton South
Vix Lowthion Isle of Wight
Chris Loynes Westmorland and Lonsdale
Caroline Lucas MP Brighton, Pavilion
Sarah Lunnon Stroud
Stuart Macdonald Witney
Rustam Majainah Runnymede and Weybridge
Richard Mallender Rushcliffe
David Malone Scarborough and Whitby Green
Mark Maloney East Yorkshire
Jennifer Marklew Milton Keynes North
Anna Masters Birmingham, Northfield
Sally May New Forest East
Ian McCulloch Portsmouth South
Susan McGrath Epsom and Ewell
Paul McNally Blaydon
Natalie McVey Wyre Forest
Ian Middleton Banbury
Diana Moore Exeter
Derek Moran Old Bexley and Sidcup
Jennifer Nadel Westminster North
Chris Newsam Thirsk and Malton
Shan Oakes Harrogate and Knaresborough
Esther Obiri-Darko Tooting
Margaret Okole Birmingham Ladywood
Michelle Palmer Ellesmere Port and Neston
Samantha Pancheri Milton Keynes South
Hannah Patton Maidstone and the Weald
Will Patterson Wigan
Jill Perry Workington
Gordon Peters Hornsey and Wood Green
Niall Pettitt West Suffolk
Janet Phillips Ludlow
Peter Pinkney Redcar and Cleveland
Alistair Polson Bethnal Green and Bow
Chris Poole Putney
David Ratcliff Sutton Coldfield
Rupert Read Cambridge
Jasper Richmond Chichester
Rachael Roberts Berwick-upon-Tweed
Jean Robertson-Molloy Enfield Southgate
Andy Robinson Bradford South
Greg Robinson Sedgefield
Martin Robson Woking
Robina Rose Kensington
Julian Roskams West Worcestershire
Jenny Ross Stalybridge & Hyde
Mandy Rossi Ashford
Leslie Rowe Richmond (Yorks)
Guy Rubin Chelsea and Fulham
Caroline Russell Islington North
Simon Saggers South Cambridgeshire
Ben Samuel Hendon
Larry Sanders Oxford West and Abingdon
Gary Scott Halifax
Dee Searle Tottenham
Clive Semmens South East Cambridgeshire
Ginnie Shaw York Outer
Jenny Shepherd Calder Valley
Mark Shilcock North West Durham
Michael Short Barnsley Central
Cathrine Simmons Torridge and West Devon
Theo Simon Somerton and Frome
Phil Simpson Birmingham Edgbaston
Matt Sisson Loughborough
Steve Slade St Austell and Newquay
Hugh Small Cities of London and Westminster
Mark Smith Wealden
Rachel Smith-Lyte Suffolk Coastal
John Southworth Bury North
Dave Stevens Bradford East
Mark Stevenson Henley
Esther Sutton Croydon Central
Clare Thomas Birmingham Selly Oak
Carol Thornton Cleethorpes
Isabel Thurston Arundel and South Downs
Diana Toynbee Hereford and South Herefordshire
Dominic Tristram Bath
Rebecca Tully Chingford and Woodford Green>
Jonathan Tyler York Central
Peter Underwood Croydon South
Tim Valentine Faversham and Mid Kent
Adam van Coevorden Cheltenham
Emma van Dyke Salford and Eccles
Diana Warner Filton and Bradley Stoke
Kevin Warnes Shipley
Steve Whiffen Daventry
Graham White Stevenage
Rob White Reading East
Andy Williamson Central Devon
Lee Williscroft-Ferris Hexham
Richard Wise Hitchen and Harpenden
Antonia Zenkevitch Nottingham East

 


Nicola Sturgeon on Channel 4 news – SNP will vote to protect the English NHS

On Channel 4 News, 21st January 2015, SNP Leader Nicola Sturgeon was interviewed by Cathy Newman about SNP plans to vote in Westminster to protect the English NHS.

The transcript of the interview is below.

Cathy Newman (CN): “Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister, has warned that her SNP colleagues at Westminster could vote on English NHS matters if there’s a hung parliament after the election. Usually Scottish nationalist MPs don’t vote on specifically English or Welsh issues in the House of Commons, but Nicola Sturgeon says that if decisions affecting the public funding of the health service in England arise, they would have a direct knock-on effect for Scotland’s budget, and her party would vote in their country’s self-interest.

The row fuels the debate over restricting Westminster votes on English laws to English MPs, and it highlights the SNP’s potential sway in supporting a minority government. One poll today gives the party double Labour’s support in Scotland which if borne out in May could dramatically increase the number of MPs on SNP benches.

Well we’re joined now from the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh by Nicola Sturgeon herself.

First Minister, why should SNP MPs vote on laws affecting only English citizens?”

Nicola Sturgeon (NS): “First, let me make clear that where a matter doesn’t have any impact on Scotland and where it affects only people in England, I don’t think Scottish MPs should vote. I think the argument then for English votes for English laws is a very strong one.

But of course on the NHS, that’s not the case: votes in the House of Commons that affect England’s health service and affect the funding for England’s health service have a knock-on effect to Scotland’s budget through the Barnett formula, so I’m signalling today that if there are votes in the House of Commons after the general election that would propose halting the privatisation of the health service we’re seeing in England, that would propose restoring the health service as a fully public service, then SNP MPs would vote for that because that would help us protect our own budget in the future. It would also be part of our progressive alliance with others in England who also want to see a halt to NHS privatisation.”

 

CN: “Ok, I’ll come back to that. But David Cameron has promised to protect NHS spending up to 2020, and in fact in this parliament he has done rather better at protecting spending on the English NHS than you have, because spending on the Scottish NHS has been cut whereas it’s gone up in England.”

NS: “First of all that’s not true. Since the Conservatives came to power in Westminster the revenue budget of the health service in Scotland has increased by 4.6%. We’ve passed on all consequentials and we’ve increased the revenue budget of the health service in real terms. I’ve given a very clear commitment that if the SNP is re-elected to government in 2016 we will do exactly the same for every year of the next parliament as well.

But the first part of your point there, if I can address that: I don’t know that there’s many people – I certainly don’t know anybody in Scotland, I can’t speak of course for every part of England – who believe that the Conservatives are increasingly privatising the health service so that they can increase public funding of the health service over the long term. I think most people would take the view that that increasing privatisation is over the long term about reducing the public contribution to our national health service. If that happens in England…”

 

CN: “That’s a big hypothetical though isn’t it? It’s potentially a completely unrelated issue.”

NS: “Why else would the Conservatives be going down the privatisation route that they are? Now there are many other objections of course to private sector involvement in the health service but I think most people and certainly most people I know who work in the health service share my view of the motivations for that.

Now what I am saying is that that is what gives SNP MPs the interest and the reason to vote for any move that would take the health service in England away from that in order to protect Scotland’s budget, and as I said earlier it would also I suspect put us on the same side as many other progressive forces in England who also like me don’t think that the privatisation of the National Health Service is a good thing to be doing.”

 

CN: “And it puts you on side with Labour as well, doesn’t it?”

NS: “On this issue? Of course. My central message in a Scottish context is that SNP MPs – unlike Scottish Labour MPs over many years – always stand up for Scotland’s interest and make our voice heard, and ensure that we are a progressive force. SNP MPs yesterday in the House of Commons with our colleagues in Plaid Cymru and the Greens forced a vote on the renewal of Trident. Unfortunately many Labour MPs either voted with the Conservative government for the renewal of Trident or didn’t vote at all. So that’s another issue where SNP MPs would be progressive voices in the House of Commons, and I suspect the Westminster establishment is crying out for more progressive voices.”

 

CN: “Well let me be clear where you do stand on other parliamentary votes after the election. Can people voting SNP on May 7th trust that you won’t help a Conservative government by voting with the Tories on any key issues at all after the election?”

NS: “I’ve made it absolutely crystal clear that SNP MPS, the SNP, would not formally or informally prop up a Conservative government. There’s a very simple democratic reason for that. People in Scotland tend not to vote for Conservative governments at Westminster. The current Tory government has one MP in Scotland.

Now we don’t know how people will vote in May of course but I’m fairly confident in predicting that Scotland won’t suddenly decide to vote Tory. So Scotland doesn’t vote for Conservative governments. It therefore would be completely and plainly wrong for the SNP to in any way prop up a Conservative government. But what we can do is make sure that whoever is in government in Westminster, Scotland’s voice is heard and our interests are protected – and those extensive new powers of course that we were promised for our parliament during the referendum campaign are actually delivered.”

 

CN: “On another issue of crucial interest to Scotland just before you go, is the drop in the oil price the best economic news for the whole of the UK?”

NS: “Obviously the drop in the oil price has significant downside for the oil industry and for the North-East of Scotland economy. I’m meeting the Prime Minister tomorrow [22/01/15] and one of the things I will be pressing him to do is to very quickly not to wait for the budget but to immediately introduce tax cuts for the North Sea to help them through this particular down-turn. Of course for the wider economy a lower oil price does have potential benefits for consumers but that benefit is…”

 

CN: “But it’s a bit of a blow for your economic projections isn’t it, because you based your entire economic projections for independence on an oil price of $110 a barrel and it’s currently $50 a barrel?”

NS: “That projection of course was lower than the projection made by the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the UK government, but put that to one side for a second. You don’t hear any other oil producing country in the world respond to lower oil prices by suddenly saying ‘We can’t afford to manage our own resources any more’. If you look at Norway, it’s got its massive oil fund of course to drawn down on. The fact of the matter is, successive Westminster governments have mismanaged our oil resources and I think one of the questions for the future for Scotland is as oil prices rise again, as they inevitably will, are we going to allow that to happen in the future as well?

But the point I was making which I didn’t quite finish is that benefit to consumers of lower oil prices is only felt if we have companies pass that on and I hope that’s what we see in the weeks and months ahead.”

 

CN: “First Minster, thank you very much for joining me.”

NS: “Thank you.”