 |
| Spirit of the times? |
We do live in a liberal democracy (liberal in the old fashioned sense of the word, meaning "free") and I cherish the freedoms that we do have. However, I am aware of an increasing illiberality streak that exists these days in which free speech can be criticised as being offensive in some quarters.
We all have our limits as to how free speech is tolerated. I am not prepared to countenance views that I regard as racist or homophobic; others would regard comments on religion as being offensive (I do not), and it was Voltaire who said
"I hate what you say, but I defend to the death your right to say it"
As a citizen in a liberal democracy, I feel comfortable about criticising Government policy. I feel I have a civic duty to do so. I have done so over the years in an area I am quite knowledgeable about - health care. I don't think I have any friends in Downing Street, but I do have colleagues with whom I disagree about issues. That is healthy.
What is not healthy is reports of attempts to silence critics of Government policy. I have always believed this to be the case, and it is unsurprising that this report confirms it. With doctors, if you speak out your are threatened with being reported to the General Medical Council - a Government appointed quango that tries to control doctors. I know of several bloggers who have been threatened with this.
So - a simple question - if the new Government proposals are so good, why are there threats to silence those who disagree?
Has the spirit of Stalin returned?
PS Since I wrote this this afternoon, this has come to light - Josef Dyugashvilli in Cumbria......
12 comments:
It is particularly shocking given the Bill is still going through Parliament and hasn't become legislation yet. So much for democratic process.
Have you not read your Chomsky, JD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJuqoDvyXOk&skipcontrinter=1
I totally agree with you - it's quite unbelievable that they can completely disregard so many professionals. They say they are going to reduce management and empower doctors yet here they are just like the managers who have ruined the health service in the first place, making decisions on things that they clearly know very little about!
It's about this 'them and us' mentality JD, as if government is the enemy! How many times do we read here and there that this politician or that was given this minute sum of money for his/her office, and that because of such s/he would be prepared to alter a whole policy that will affect 60 million people just to please the lobby brigade?! IMO, this is where the problem lies, and is a mentality I refuse one hundred percent because it is NOT fair!
I think with modern politics and specially because of the unprecedented world political and economic situation, we need to 'trust' our leaders are morally much higher than 'some' media wants us to believe ... otherwise, why don't we doubt the integrity of those who write such material too?! ... and why not doctors and nurses as well, why trust anyone at all? We're all human, aren't we?
As for the professor in question, like you, I think this is wrong and I hope he would not be taken to the cleaners for voicing his opinion, otherwise, yes, we should all worry what next, not fair in a democracy again
That said, NHS reform that has passed the half way mark at huge cost and can not just be thrown away at huge cost either. Hence, again IMHO it is best to cooperate and get the best deal rather than useless opposition that will only contribute to the public's current unrealistic fear since that is built on those claiming to be 'expert' when they may have just read 1/2 newspaper articles about the subject just the once or so! And we've seen that kind of fear before during the last Labour's reform too, with exactly the same result;
http://chezsams.blogspot.com/2010/02/adapt-or-die.html
And if you have these conditions, would you invite those who oppose you outright to your discussion table, because I wouldn't - since it's the public that I now want to convince that not all they hear is true, and unreasoned opposition would only 'artificially' make matters worse for real! Same reason why I won't publish risk assessment material, as this too, despite being out of date now because of all the amendments that took place since it was commissioned, but mainly because it would 'wrongly' inflame the public further - government needs good PR now to convince those who oppose as well as those who doubt like yourself. Remember, none of us has ever read the full bill too ... food for thought then how we too form our opinions ....
Sam, PR is one of the biggest obstacles. Successive goverments have relied on spin and PR rather than bills with any substance. As for trusting politicians, look at yesterdays poll about how much the public trusts any political party with the NHS. Hiding a risk register and defying the information commission is the hallmark of a leader who doesn't have faith in their own policy.
So is it true that Dr Grumble is John Ashton? So when are you going to "come out", JD? You've left so many clues in this blog about your identity that it won't be long I reckon.
No, no I'm John Ashton and so is my wife.....
Excuse me JD, I'm John Ashton and so is my cat..
"Successive goverments have relied on spin and PR rather than bills with any substance."
I said 'good' PR though, that's 'good' communication with us, 'their' public because without that we'll always, as forever happening, deem any effort at reform as 'without any substance', then keep reforming, stop half way, then reform again, and again, forever!
"As for trusting politicians, look at yesterdays poll about how much the public trusts any political party with the NHS."
And do you and I have to depend on polls that are hugely influenced by what the media tells us? Do we need to get told how to think all the time? ... how about putting 1 + 1 ourselves, examine the clues then make up our own minds as 'responsible' adults? This is how I came to believe that I can and I will trust 'my' politicians, unless I have proof not to, and I don't have that 'reason' so, I will keep on trusting them, they are 'ours' after all - can you live in a family whose members do not trust each others? I can't. And like in a family, trust brings families together, something we need now if we are to beat the current downturn fast, and prosper forever after - easier with a bit of sincere encouragement too.
Try it my way Anonymous, it feels right too; to be in it, and help each other 'together' :-)
Looks like another one of those DOH press campaign against GPs....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105084/GPs-make-162m-ghost-patients-Anger-2-5m-non-existent-people.html
I wonder why they might want to discredit GPs right now?
Attending meeting at downing street were:
the NHS Confederation, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, NHS Alliance, the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations, National Voices and the National Association of Primary Care.
Interesting article about John Ashton here: http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/health/s/216355_top_doc_quits_after_nhs_shakeup
I wonder why he didn't do as he promised and enter politics back in 2007 when he retired from his North West job. He would have been in a far better position to make comment as a Labour Party politician than as an official with Cumbria PCT.
Post a Comment