Tuesday 27 March 2012

Is money all it takes to make policy?

So the Cruddas affair has come to a rather predictable conclusion.

The truth is I wasn't even shocked when I heard the news, in truth I had simply been waiting for it to happen.

Boris Johnson seems incapable of picking advisers with any moral integrity: why should it be better further up the Conservative food chain?

Money may make the world go around, but must it eradicate all principle and integrity from the world that we live in!

At times like this it seems so.

Peter Cruddas has gone, as well he should.

Call me biased, but I'm just waiting for the next money related scandal.

Although, on an optimistic note, the 50p tax sounds like a good idea.

Tuesday 20 March 2012

You're not fat, you're phenomenal

One of my friends has been writing about her thoughts about being fat.

I have always thought that she looks great.

And again I was reminded of the Maya Angelou poem phenomenal woman.

Every woman should read this and feel proud of their body.

A sad day for health

My soul burnt a little less brightly today:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/mar/20/nhs-reform-health-bill-passes-vote

Saturday 17 March 2012

NHS bill protests continue

Around 100 people gathered to protest outside the Department of Health building in Whitehall at 2.30 pm today.

The demonstration was organised by a mish mash of small campaiging groups, including Health Alarm and Keep Our NHS Public, who have come together to protest against the NHS bill that is currently going through parliament.

Again there was vocal remonstration about the fact that the TUC have failed to follow up the huge protests in March with similar protests in defence of the NHS.

Some of those I spoke to cited the TUC links with the labour party for their lack of action.

At 3pm Occupy arrived to join the demonstration in their characteristic masks.

The demonstration was peaceful and everyone dispersed by 4pm.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

BBC human chain coverage

Just thought I'd provide a link to the BBC's coverage of yesterday's demonstration.

Human chain round St Thomas' - EYEWITNESS

A human chain surrounded St Thomas' hospital today at lunch time in protest at the current bill that is going through Parliament, in spite of heavy rain.

100s of people gathered from 12 o'clock, in a downpour, to protest against the government's actions.



Unite, PCS and Keep Our NHS Public all had a presence at the protest.







At roughly 2 o'clock the protesters dispersed to cross the bridge to the Houses of Parliament and lobby the government.

Keep Our NHS Public believe that: "Lansley's parliamentary Bill, dressed as up as a simple reform, threatens to destroy the NHS by stealth."



One protester said that she was disappointed by her union, Unite, who she felt had not done enough to protest against the bill early enough.

She said her group Health Alarm hoped to try and link up the movement that she felt was growing against the bill.



The protesters remained at time of writing outside the house.

More protests are planned for the rest of the day.

Monday 5 March 2012

Leave our NHS alone!

38 degrees, an internet campaigning organisation, have just passed their £300,000 total to start a poster campaign to attack the NHS bill that the government are still trying to push through Parliament.

The campaigning poster reads:

“Dear Mr Cameron: You’re making a big mistake with the NHS.

Please, please listen to us.” Dr Brigid Sheppard.

The billboard campaign launched today.

More than 130 huge billboards are going up in London, with more to follow in high streets across the country.

Over 20,000 38 Degrees members have chipped in over £300,000 to make this happen.

Hopefully the extent of this campaign will make the government see how unpopular and ill advised this bill has proven.