Cameron and Clegg take stock after Lib Dems reject NHS reforms
Nick Clegg will discuss changes to the government’s NHS reforms with the prime minister after a rebellion at his party’s spring conference.
Lib Dem rebels succeeded in overwhelmingly passing amendments this weekend opposing the restructuring of the NHS.
The coalition’s junior party’s members voted to give local councillors a greater role in commissioning and limit the role of private companies, who they feared would ‘cherry-pick’ services.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley’s proposals would scrap primary care trusts (pcts) and place purchasing power in the hands of local GP consortia.
But Lib Dem critics said this risked introducing unnecessary competition to the NHS.
In his closing speech on Sunday, Mr Clegg tried to dampen Lib Dem concerns about private companies’ role under the proposals.
“Do not believe for a moment Labour’s scare-mongering about privatising the NHS,” the deputy prime minister said.
“No government of which I am part will tamper with the essential contract at the heart of the NHS: to care collectively for each other as fellow citizens.
“World-class health care for all. Publicly funded. Free.
“Centred on patients, not profit. So yes to health reforms. But no – always no – to the privatisation of health.”
Yet the strength of Lib Dem grass roots opposition will likely see Mr Clegg seek major concessions on the reforms.
Mr Lansley indicated a willingness to revisit the plans on the BBC’s Politics Show yesterday.
“We have already made changes. We are not sitting there going: ‘Oh, we know the answers and nothing must change’,” the health secretary said.
There are signs of discomfort on the Tory bankbenches. Conservative MP John Redwood wrote a blog post urging the government to avoid another U-turn.
“A government finds it easier to command loyalty if it comes up with sensible proposals to start with, and sticks with them when they are attacked and criticised,” he wrote.
“It is more difficult for supporters if a government develops a reputation for backing down. Supporters are then reluctant to give public support in the early stages of a new policy, for fear it will be ditched if pressure develops.”
“If Lib Dem criticisms of the health policy result in major changes, Conservative party members will want changes to policies they don’t like.”
