71 knows full well that that is the fairest way. The whole point of a universal welfare state is that all have an interest in it. As soon as you start means testing universal benefits or services, the better off lose interest and you end up with a two tier system (with private health, education etc for the really rich).

So why is there a prescription charge? Or a charge for innoculations? Surely that should be through the taxation system?

Dead right.

<Shudders>

In relation to Tory plans for parents to operate schools: what happens when their kids reach school leaving age and their motivating self-interest disappears. Who run the schools then?

1. Speculation. There were 3 GP's prior to the renegoatiated contracts and the GP you saw in the day came to see you in the middle of the night if you were sick. Not now. You get a GP who can barely speak English (typically) and who does not have access to your notes or any clue as to your chronic medical conditions.

2. You are probably right.

3. Got no beef with private health practices. My comment was about retail outlets.

Governing Body surely?

How close are the Co-op and the Sainsburys in Culcheth?

The "big society" ideas are one of the oldest tricks in the political book. If you want to give people a positive spin on cutting their services, describe it as "getting government off their backs".

When it comes time to call it a day on the NHS and move to an entirely privatised system, the way to say it is "I don't believe that decisions about people's healthcare should be left to bureaucrats in Whitehall....I believe people should have choice"

If I had any idea what point you were trying to get across I'd possibly agree with you.




That sort of statement so bloody annoys me but demonstrates how weak your argument is in defending Labour - they haven't been in power, Labour have.

You can't possibly say the Tories would have done this or the Tories would have done that because they have been in opposition for 13 years while Brown has had his hand on the controls for 13 years.

Sorry, I meant the same retail outlets.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/ ... 649012.stm Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/ ... 649012.stm Couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke.

The next set of polls could be very interesting, I would say 'yes, he's completely blown it.'

The Tories should jump all over this and explain how this shows the real contempt that GB holds the general public in. The general public are a hindrance to GB in his pursuit of continued power.

He's also gutless. If she was a "bigot" he should stand by his comments, not spend > 30 mins in her house apologising to her. He looks weak, pathetic and two faced.