Are the Tories ‘out of touch’ after lavish NHS birthday meal - vote in our poll

06 July 2023 , 14:04

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Furious NHS staff have warned that the health service is 'on its knees' (Image: TIM ANDERSON)

While the NHS celebrated its 75th anniversary yesterday (July 5), shameless Tories forked out upwards of £150 per head at a lavish meal to mark the milestone - and we want to know what YOU think.

Among the diners included Health Secretary Steve Barclay, former PM Theresa May and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who all attended the exclusive event at the Carlton Club in Mayfair.

While the guests indulged in the expensive meal, furious NHS staff gathered outside waving placards and warning that the health service is “on its knees”. The protesters were heard shouting “shame on you” and the attendees were booed as they made their way inside.

The negative response comes as underpaid hospital workers struggle to make ends meet, with many frontline staff turning to food banks. Speaking at the demonstration, Unite national lead officer Onay Kasab told the Mirror: "Our members are having to use food banks that have been set up at their own NHS hospitals. We've got people who can't afford to eat and this lot are celebrating with a slap up meal."

He said that despite Tory "self congratulation", unions and healthcare workers are in a battle to ensure the chronically understaffed NHS reaches 100. Mr Kasab said that it was shameful that Conservatives were dining while the UK was recording an alarming level of excess deaths.

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"You can't deal with retention without dealing with pay," he said. In the coming months, he said Unite would be focusing on shortages of medics across the NHS, saying the "vast majority" of shifts are not fully staffed.

Nurse Mark Boothroyd added: "The NHS is falling apart due to Government policy such as underfunding and the lack of a proper pay rise - for them to be celebrating at a private members' dinner when they're refusing to resolve the issues is infuriating to staff."

The event was arranged by the Conservative Friends of the NHS group, which says it represents "enduring values shared between the NHS and the Conservative Party "

The landmark birthday arrives in a year when NHS staff have been taking industrial action following disputes over pay and working conditions, with junior doctors in England set to strike for five consecutive days this month - the longest walkout in NHS history.

While the MPs enjoyed the luxury meal, we want to know if you think the Conservatives are out of touch. Vote in our poll to have your say.

The Mirror will also be discussing the topic with you in the comments section below and you can join in! All you have to do is sign up, submit your comment, register your details and then you can take part.

Freya Hodgson