Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 922057)

Conveniently forgetting that Labour would have slashed the NHS budget where as it's actually increasing under the Coalition? Perhaps the fact that Labour were going to cut the NHS budget might provoke you into realising that the Government has been spending way beyond the amount of money it gets in.

That's the reason we need NHS reform because despite the budget increasing it's not keeping up with an ageing population that is living much longer.

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 922507)

I do see a pattern developing here..yes John.. quite right John..yes Margaret ..took the words out of my mouth ..I agree Margaret... Yes but the lefties are talking kak Margaret.. I agree John..lazy links to the downfall of the country..I agree Margaret I mean?:D

Originally Posted by cmonstanley (Post 922517)

more proof BBC News - NHS funds moved to richer areas, Labour says

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 922508)

Anyone with half a sense knows when the tories talk about reforming the NHS they really mean privitisation.. this is nothing new and most of us know what the score is.. if you feel the need to lie in an open forum then it's on your back.. maybe that's why you are the tea boy, and I hope you always will be .

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 922507)

I do see a pattern developing here..yes John.. quite right John..yes Margaret ..took the words out of my mouth ..I agree Margaret... Yes but the lefties are talking kak Margaret.. I agree John..lazy links to the downfall of the country..I agree Margaret I mean?:D

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington (Post 922538)

If this is your attempt at humour then it doesn't do you justice.

And did you post any criticism of the Blair/Brown administration?
To be balanced, you would have to have found things that their administration did, that you didn't like....or, be critical of some of their policies.
You posted, some time ago that you have no political allegiance....this thread proves otherwise.
John and I do have things in common. We are from the same era, experienced the same kind of growing up, like some of the same music(because we are of the same era)......but I do not share the same political ideologies....although I would think that Johns' ideologies have mellowed over the years.

And just for your background information. I am the eldest of seven children, experienced extreme poverty as a child, with a war damaged father who couldn't work for years.......the perfect background for a TORY...eh?

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 922623)

Vey interesting, Dave, and thanks for posting. Certainly a damning indictment of both major parties:

"What is happening now to the NHS is by any standards a brutal, regressive move. It must be understood, however, that New Labour do not provide the alternative to this problem, but have a proven history of implementing the same broad neoliberal policy that is being unleashed by the conservative government today. Much like the presence of many Labour party groups at the March 26th ‘March for the Alternative’, and Ed Miliband speaking at the rally following the march, their flagrant criticism of the Conservative party for NHS ‘reforms’ is hypocritical. Those who want to save the NHS in the long term should consider moving their political support very far away from the existing major parties in the UK."

Is this why Graham, Bernard, Claytonender, Ken and all the other Accyweb Labour stalwarts are so silent on the subject? :confused:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington (Post 922633)

There is some truth in what John says(sorry Mancie)......local politics and national politics are something very different, but......to be a follower of a particular party, you must support some of the core values of that party...even if you are only a local councillor(the 'only' isn't meant to be derogatory either) you must believe in the ideologies of that party or you wouldn't stand for election in any capacity.

Though I am sure that the people you mention Steve, have not much more influence than you and me on political policies.