Jonathan Jones

Tim Farron wants competition dropped from the Health Bill

Will there be further changes to the Health and Social Care Bill? Liberal Democrat President Tim Farron certainly wants some, as he told ITV’s Party People last night:

‘If the new competition introduced through this Bill is removed, then I think it’s better on the books than it is off it… What I want is for the Lords to propose changes that will remove the new competition elements from the Bill and I would like the Government to give way on those things. It’s all to play for.’

Farron’s echoing the call made by fellow Lib Dem Shirley Williams last week and by a group of activists who have submitted an emergency motion for their party conference in two weeks.

And on the Conservative side of the coalition, Earl Howe — health minister in the Lords — sounds a conciliatory note in an interview for the latest issue [http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/47130/earl_howe_keeping_a_healthy_outlook.html]

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