Unite: Cameron facing collapse in trust over health reforms says poll
Monday, 20 February 2012 11:58 AM
Six times as many people trust health professionals than David Cameron and Andrew Lansley (60 per cent – 10 per cent) over their health reforms and 68 per cent want the government to publish its own risk register on the reforms.
The YouGov poll for Progressive Polling/Unite the union, also shows splits in the coalition’s support. Lib Dem supporters (80 per cent) are more likely to want the risk register published. The register crucially details the impact of the coalition’s plans on the NHS.
Labour supporters follow closely (73 per cent) with a majority of Conservatives (62 per cent) backing the information Commissioner’s ruling to release the document under the Freedom of Information Act.
The poll of 1,772 people makes grim reading for the Prime Minister’s personal ratings and shows that the NHS is quickly becoming a toxic issue for the Tories.
Three times as many people think David Cameron has not delivered on his pre-election assurances (59 per cent to 19 per cent). Among Female voters, 16 per cent believe he has not delivered with just 8 per cent trusting him and Andrew Lansley more than health professionals over the reforms.
Labour also has a 15 per cent lead over the Tories on health.
The damning poll comes ahead of Wednesday’s (22 February) opposition debate in the House of Commons over the government’s refusal to release the NHS risk register. The following week will see the government go to the high court to stop the potentially damaging report from being published.
Commenting, Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, said: “David Cameron is haemorrhaging trust over the Health Bill with public disquiet growing each day the government fights to keep the risk register secret. People have a right to know what damage these so called reforms will do to their NHS.
“The government’s secrecy begs the question of who comes first. The people who pay for and use the NHS, or corporate consultants like McKinsey who drafted the bill and stand to make money from Cameron’s privatisation plan? David Cameron and Andrew Lansley need to come clean, get in step with public opinion and drop this unnecessary and damaging Bill.”
ENDS
For further information please contact Alex Flynn Unite, head of media and campaigns on 020 3371 2066 or 07967 665869.
Notes to editors:
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1,772 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12-13 February 2012. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
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