26 January 2024 , 23:56
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There is no bigger fallacy than the Tories’ claim to be the party of the NHS.
Under them, it has been neglected, undermined and stripped of the funding it deserves. As a result, waiting lists are at a record high, staff are overstretched and demoralised and patients can’t get the treatment they need.
This failure has cost lives. Too many have died because an ambulance arrived too late or because they had to wait too long for an op. They include Iqbal Rahman, who was left waiting for more than an hour and 20 minutes for an ambulance.
His family has joined thousands of others in demanding a £40billion rise in NHS funding. If the PM genuinely cared about the health service, he would answer this plea. The Tories have a clear choice in the March Budget: cut taxes for their wealthy backers or use the cash to restore the NHS. They will be judged on whether they attempt to save their skins – or try to save lives.
Back the ban
In 2015, Cecil the Lion awakened the world to the sick trade of trophy hunting. In the years since, some 100 more have been killed by British hunters in the name of sport.
Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade
Many have taken home the body parts as souvenirs. To slaughter an animal in this way is depraved. To then celebrate the kill is beyond sickening. A new law to ban the import of animal parts was sabotaged by a handful of unelected pro-hunting peers, despite having cross-party backing in the Commons.
The Government should do everything in its power to ensure the Bill reaches the statute book when it is re-introduced in March. This vile trade must be stamped out for good.
Klopp marks
Jurgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool is a blow for all of English football. He loves the game and fans love his huge grin, passion and boundless enthusiasm. Let’s hope it’s auf wiedersehen and not a permanent farewell.