tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183218.post5055858536371461410..comments2023-09-23T16:11:57.593+01:00Comments on Tim McLoughlin: Election post mortem on BBC Radio Five LiveTim McLoughlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15152620862050412155noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183218.post-90792693517665806222008-05-10T23:35:00.000+01:002008-05-10T23:35:00.000+01:00Longer opening hours of GP surgeries as a bright n...Longer opening hours of GP surgeries as a bright new invention? It is backtracking on the government's earlier initiatives to allow GPs more control (with a higher salary - five times that of a newly qualified teacher) of their own surgeries' practices - which was a dreadful idea and made it more difficult for working people to see their own GP at a convenient time. To promote this would invite criticism of earlier errors. <BR/><BR/>It baffles me that politicians who are looking to impress feel that they can do so by banning things that their constituents enjoy. I, as a teacher, can empathise with this - the second I got my stripes, paper aeroplanes were out the window. But really, come one. Jacqui Smith - self-confessed stoner - re-classifying weed despite the fact that it was a superlative example of Labour forward thinking to reclassify it to C in 2004, leaves me incredulous - as does it the government's personally chosen, well-qualified and well-paid commissioner. <BR/><BR/>Right guys, we need to bolster support. Positive positive positive. Any ideas? Yes: let's ban stuff. People love that. Conkers; speeding; causally smoking a joint in the comfort of your own home when you could be out battering some stilettoed harridan in the city centre. <BR/><BR/>Sit back and wait for the earnest nods: 'I'm so grateful that you changed the law in my favour. What's that? You're changing it back? Why? For my own good? Oh, I see. So if I carry on doing what you told me I was allowed to do you will put me in prison/take away my money/socially ostracise me?' <BR/><BR/>And now Bo-Jo coming over all vigilante presbyterian on the tube: whay do these people think that voters want stuff taken away from them? Pregnant women: banned from enjoying a glass of wine with a meal because the government - totally against the advice from their HIGHLY PAID medical experts - feel that women cannot understand the BMA guidelines on safe drinking whilst pregnant, are ostracised. The government need to give us straight-up positive, original policies. <BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Labour must find positive policies that do not smell of backtracking to focus on (not child poverty as we all now associate it as the excuse for the 10 p fiasco - and, let's face it, in the wake of a Tory swelling, the middle class voters are on a big individualistic kick so philanthropy is out the window).<BR/><BR/>I'm petrified - PETRIFIED - for the sake of my children that we could have a Conservative govenrnment in the next very soon; but my petrification is overriden by fury at my own party for letting us all down.Mr. Denchfieldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00570203271616499338noreply@blogger.com