Andy Burnham put on the spot

Submitted by Matthew on 24 September, 2014 - 11:12 Author: Gemma Short

On 21 September over 200 NHS campaigners from across the country gathered outside Labour Party conference in Manchester.

We lobbied to demand Labour make serious commitments to rebuilding the NHS.

Andy Burnham, shadow health secretary, was spotted going into the conference centre and persuaded to come speak to the crowd.

Burnham confirmed his support for Clive Efford’s bill to parliament which seeks to remove the parts of the Tory Health and Social Care Act which force private tendering of NHS services. The bill, Burnham assured us, would return NHS run services to the position of being the “preferred provider”. Burnham was heckled with calls for the NHS to be the “only provider”.

Burnham is in fact quite the fan of private providers within the NHS. But only, he says, with the correct checks and balances.

Burnham evaded the question directly put to him by lobby organiser Jill Mountford: what about reversing cuts to NHS funding?

The lobby also heard from Anita Downs, a nurse from the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign, Pete Radcliff, Broxtowe CLP, Lloyd Russell-Moyle, Labour Parliamentary candidate for Lewes, and others.

All called on the Labour Party to commit not only to repealing the Health and Social Care Act but also to eradicate market forces and fund a full rebuilding of the NHS.

This website uses cookies, you can find out more and set your preferences here.
By continuing to use this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.