Blair warns rebel MPs against “cuddly” Howard
Prime minister Tony Blair told his backbenchers last night to back the government’s controversial public service reform agenda or risk resurrecting the Tory party as a credible force in British politics.
Mr Blair spoke at a special meeting to discuss the National Consultation announced at the Labour Party conference.
His intervention comes ahead of a crucial Commons vote on Thursday on the government’s flagship policy on foundation hospitals.
The Tories, under new leader Michael Howard, were a “formidable” force, Mr Blair said. He warned that any weakness on NHS reforms would hand the Conservatives the ammunition to fire at his party.
On Monday, Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, which has 450,000 members in the NHS, said foundation hospitals would be “deeply damaging” to the health service.
The Government wants to reward top-performing hospitals with greater financial freedom.
But critics say foundation trusts would lead inexorably to a two-tier health service.
Last Thursday, the Lords voted against a clause on foundation trusts in the Health and Social Care Bill, defeating the government by 150 to 100.
And when foundation hospitals came before MPs earlier this year, the Government’s huge parliamentary majority was cut to 35.
Mr Blair told MPs to remain vigilant, insisting his “cuddly” Tory opposite, who had reformed his right-wing ways, was certainly not to be underestimated.
Labour whips last night approached Frank Field MP to back down on his opposition to the bill.
Should MPs prolong the debate, the government may keep the Commons sitting beyond Thursday, the day scheduled to end the parliamentary year.
It is also envisioned that peers may block the legislation again even if MPs back the plans next week.
