For the ultimate in weasel words read Nick Clegg’s speech yesterday in which he attempted to distance his flailing Liberal Democrat Party from the Coalition Government’s proposals to fragment the NHS: “It’s not the same as turning this treasured public service into a competition-driven, dog-eat-dog market where the NHS is flogged to the highest bidder” http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/2011/05/27/major-coalition-rift-over-nick-clegg-nhs-speech-115875-23159565/
Clegg is guilty of either political deception or self delusion – smart money would be on the former.
As UNISON’s head of health Christina McAnea stated in her response to Clegg’s speech:
“Nick Clegg’s attempt to reassure people that any changes to the NHS will be in the best interests of patients, has not worked. A growing number of professionals are calling for the Health and Social Care Bill to be ditched and that, we believe, is the best option.
He is completely naïve to think that more competition won’t lead to a greater role for private companies. Companies who are chomping at the bit to start raking in cash from the health service. Once they get their teeth into the NHS they will destroy it.
We will continue campaigning against the privatisation of our NHS and this destructive Bill.”
