SATURDAY 16 JANUARY 2016
MHOCPress: The Independent
Imperial_
TETP
PetrosAC
Roadtotheshow
The abolition of the NHS, and why it should be privatised.
Examining the effect of the introduction of the House of Lords.
Bnzss’ parting gift was his budget, but was it a good gift?
An evaluation of The Quipton’s proposed system.
Voices, Page 13
Voices, Page 15
News Page 9
News Page 8
Electric-Blue is elected principle speaker of the Green Party after 4 rounds of voting Page 4
A new dawn has broken, has it not? ● MHOC has its first female Prime Minister ● RachelChamberlain wins against Akc8 in the third round. took part. Campaigns from akc8 (2nd), figgor (3rd), Djenial (4th), WAKEYrko The Labour leadership (withdrawn), Elliotelection was an extC99 (withdrawn/ traordinary contest departed), and ieuan and many candidates (withdrawn/defected)
DYNAMIC_12
1
all provided tough competition to RachelChamberlain but ultimately fell short.
fort and ability that he has shown in the past. Now standing for speaker, Djenial is a currently Deputy Djenial’s final posiSpeaker and the Govtioning in the election ernment’s Chief Whip. does not reflect his ef-
See more Page 4
Contents
Contents NEWS
INTERVIEWS
16.01.2016
New Green P.S.
The next Speaker
Electric-Blue is new Green Principle Speaker.
The election for MHOC’s next speaker is underway.
NewS Page 6
News, Page 7
GoonerSam
Padanub
The Speakership candidate talks about revitalising MHOC.
Padanub talks about bring stability to MHOC.
Interviews Page 10
Interviews Page 11
VOICES
JellyTom
Imperial_
Smoking laws within hospitals are unenforced.
Will privatising the NHS be better for Great Britain?
Voices Page 17
Voices, Page 13
TETP
Roadtotheshow
How much power do the Liberal Democrats have?
A discussion regarding the CVS proposed by TheQuipton.
Voices Page 14
VoicesPage 16
REFERENCES
2
News
News
The Matrix Saturday
Motion 103 and Bill 202 fails.
● The veteran Honeydew ● MHOCCSI has been Group is formed. formed Case 001: The ● New Green Principal next Head Moderator Speaker is electric-blue. Wednesday Sunday ● The Q & A session for ● Tory Cross-Party the Speakership Election Grouping is announced. have begun. Tuesday ● Liberal Democrats ● 1st MHOC Pulitzer Prize Nominations have opened. ● Bill 217 passes, but
but Bill 203, 204, 195 and head moderator. Motion 101 fails. Friday Thursday ● 1st MHOC Pulitzer ● The Hire-a-Honeydew service is announced and made available to MHOC members.
● Head Moderator Timanfya’s resignation is met with praise and hold a live Deputy Lead- tributes from MHOC members. er Debate. ● The Budget, Bill 220, 149.2, 189, Motion 102
● Bill 206 passes. ● Bnzss is appointed
Prize vote has begun. ● Christian cross-party parliamentary group is formed. Saturday ● The controversial Operation High Road is leaked. ● Model ebay and Model PayPal is launched.
This week in MHOC History: 11.01.2016 One year ago today Prime Minister OllieSimmonds was in an increasingly difficult position. The Opposition, lead by Whigwham was hammering the commons with bill after bill that challenged the authority of the Government. In the face of a week, 4 opposition bill would be read including the Sex Education Reform Act 2015. All 4 of those bills would eventually be passed, even in the face of Government opposition.
vices Act 2015, would receive its first reading. Although the Tory/UKIP coalition didn't know it at the time this would be the last bill the Government would pass before the appointment of a new traffic light coalition of the centre left. In spite of the apparent lack of mandate held by the Government the cabinet held within it many heavy weights and future leaders. In addition to the famous Prime Minster, the future Conservative leader Sephronar was ChancelMidway through the week a lor while the current UKIP Government bill, Improve- leader Tyroncs had the education brief. Other notament of Type 3 A&E Ser-
ble mentions include banter_lad_m8 at the Home Office,Olymyster911 as Deputy Prime Minister and ViscountHoratio in the Communities & Local Government department.
held desperately onto Foreign Affairs position. Outside of the establishment the Celtic Workers Party still claimed official party status and were led by the forgettabledeathpigeonx .
On the opposition benches, TETP sat for Labour as Shadow Education Secretary. He was only weeks away from leaving Labour to set up the doomed Socialist Party. A young and handsome can_triforce would also soon be appointed to the Communities & Local Government department while Morgsie
This week marked the calm before the storm for the right while for the Labour party it marked the beginning of a fight back aspeter199 resigned as Leader and can_triforce took over.
3
News
A new dawn has broken, has it not? From Page 1
His slogan ‘Don’t be in denial, vote Djenial!’ will no doubt reappear during the election for speaker. The third place candidate, figgor, was a former Pirate Party triumvir and was perceived by many as the leftwing candidate in the race. His Labour ‘with a sprinkle of socialism’ approach struck a chord with a sizeable proportion of the party’s membership, especial-
Socialist MP and byelection winner ieaun remains popular within the Labour Party but he withdrew his candidacy and then defected to the RSP after a low polling performence. ElliottC99, the former frontrunner and Secretary of State for Transport, withdrew and departed MHOC after he was involved in a scandal. The left-wing MP promised a shift in policy for Labour
is likely to become a cabinet member once RachelChamberlain’s first ministry is announced. Before we discuss RachelChamberlain we must talk about the candidate who came a close second - akc8. akc8 is the current Labour Party Chair and came a close second in the Labour Leadership Election to RachelChamberlain in the 3^rd round achieving 43.95% of the vote. He came from the centre of the party and his stances on many issues helped him gain support rapidly. Coming from fourth in the first poll to second in the election itself.
bers and I have to respect their wishes, and support the leader in my role of party chairman, which I intend to keep. The party will have to follow what she says and how she implements her manifesto pledges and we can look forward to the future. This cannot be said without thanking the outgoing leader for all his hard work and dedication." There is no doubt the akc8 will continue to serve Labour Party members and RachelChamberlain to the best of his ability and that his gracious statement shows a high level of maturity and good character.
RachelChamberlain was seen as the Blairite candidate in the Labour Leadership Election. She is a highly admired member who received a range of tributes The Indeafter she tendered her respendent ignation as Deputy Leader RachelChamberlain waves to the thousands of Labour Party supporters reached out to in late December 2015. Her before she enters 10 Downing Street. akc8 and remanifesto had a incredible ceived this design that we have beand polled 56% at one ly former ElliottC99 supstatement from him: come so accustomed to point. Which leads to the porters. It is likely that over the past year with her figgor will be given a cabi- question, how much closer "The campaign was well work on ‘MHOC: The net position in the reshuf- would the leadership elec- fought, to my knowledge, Week’ and the Labour Partion be if the poaching no dirty tactics were fle for RachelChamberscandal did not occur? Dur- played, which is nice to see ty Manifestos. lain’s first ministry. ing the Christmas break, in an election. I am of Before we discuss akc8’s WAKEYrko was a shortcourse disappointed not to campaign we must menlived candidate but withhave won, but Rachel won tioned the withdrawn can- drew quickly. However, he the support of the memdidates. Current Radical 4
News Minister’s ability. However, those on the left of the Labour Party will have to maintain their presence and voice to ensure that Labour does not drift further to the centre. Because of the election of a Blairite leader we might see the emergence of Red Labour again, although I doubt this as RachelChamberlain is extremely popular within the party. The Liberal Democrats will be especially RachelChamberlain chatting to Noel Gallagher at a celebration in 10 Downing Street pleased with Labour’s new hosted by outgoing Prime Minister can_triforce. leader and we are likely to RachelChamberlain emty Conference was also or- not damage the Labour Par- see further cooperation phasis the importance of ganised by RachelChamty again. with the Liberal Democrats progress and Labour’s berlain. As leader of the Labour Par- during RachelChamberstance as a broad church RachelChamerlain is Laty RachelChamberlain will lain’s leadership. party. The former Deputy bour’s only female elected push for innovation and Overall, I think under Leader talked about the ad- representative and as Lead- the development of new RachelChamberlain’s leadvantages of a broad church, er she said she would con- technologies to turn Britain ership the Labour Party will namely the opportunity ‘to tinue in her efforts the ininto a ‘smart country’. She return to a calm, civilised challenge each other’s crease female membership has also advocated the ex- state and that along with thinking’. of the Labour Party as it was pansion of democracy in AlmightyWibble they can There is no doubt that an issue of importance to every stage of people’s lives. steer Labour back on RachelChamberlain was her. In her manifesto, she excourse. incredibly successful dur- In the two weeks after plicitly expresses the need The Independent asked ing her tenure as Deputy for fundamental reform of RachelChamberlain for a RachelChamberlain reLeader of the Labour Party. signed as deputy leader the Britain’s banking system comment and she replied A notable achievement was members of the Labour and a more powerful regu- by saying: "It's a tremenorchestrating with Party caused a few contro- latory board to control the dous honour to be elected can_triforce Labour’s elec- versies. Most notably that banking industry. to serve the Labour Party as tion victory in the October of the former Labour Lead- After RachelChamberlain’s its leader and also to serve General Election, with La- ership frontrunner Elliotelection as Labour Leader as the second female Prime bour having a total of 22 tC99 who appeared to atwe are likely to see her past Minister this great country MPs. RachelChamberlain tempt to poach a member many of the reforms that has ever had. I will endeavwas also responsible for of another party to vote for she included in her maniour to carry on the work of creating the position of him in the leadership elec- festo. Members of the Lamy illustrious predecessor, ‘Party Chair’ to chair the tion. As an election prom- bour Party have trusted her and to take my party and National Executive Comise she would create the La- to keep the party moving my country to even greater mittee and to be in charge bour Party Code to ensure forward, and I’m complete- heights." of administration of the such controversies could ly confident in the Prime party. The first Labour Par5
News
Electric-Blue to lead Green revival ing things in store !”
ROADTOTHESHOW
On the 9th January 2016, following on from Cocktorpedo ’s resignation as principal speaker, the Green party elected a new principal speaker. The new principal speaker was announced to be the Secretary of State for England, Electric-blue . After defeating AmberArmy, mg9500 and, RandomPhot ographer, this is what the new principal speaker had to say:
Electric-blue’s closest rival in the election, and runnerup, ContrabannedtheMC had this to say about electric-blue’s win. ‘It was a close run thing, but there is no shame in losing to electric-blue . I truly believe that electricblue will do a great job as Principal Speaker.’
Following on from the Greens disappointing election campaign, where they only managed 9 seats, and saw their former leader, ‘This election was the first and once Prime Minister RadioNone lost his seat, time I put my name forward, and I was very excited the Greens will certainly be when I got elected in. It was hoping to improve their fortunes and bounce back a close call between me and Contrabannedthemc. I at the 5th General Election. With many of the more repwill be working with the utable Green members other PS (irule04 ) to improve membership, and to leaving, becoming less acwork on the activity of the tive within Parliament or party. We have a few excit- retiring to the Lords, such
as Cocktorpedo, whigwham, and RadioNone . The Greens, who Electric-Blue campaigning against once were one of Heathrow expansion after being electthe largest pared leader of the Green Party. ties in the House, are now placing their future in two upcoming members in irule04 and electricblue. Both will be looking to guide the Greens to a much more successful election than the 4th General Election. Will the Greens manage to achieve a much better showing at the next General Election? Or will they struggle to get into double figures again? One thing is for certain however, electricblue, alongside irule04 has a big job ahead of him.
Candidates
Electric-Blue
ContrabannedtheMC
Random Photographer
mg9500
AmberArmy
Round 1
24%
33%
24%
14%
5%
Round 2
24%
33%
29%
14%
X
Round 3
38%
33%
29%
X
X
Round 4
62%
38%
X
X
X
Round 5
100%
X
X
X
X
Electric-Blue only took the lead in the third round, initially getting the same number of first preference votes as thirdplaced candidate RandomPhotographer. 6
News
Speakership Election Conservative Party Chairman Padanub and Scottish Borders MP With the Triumvirate of a and Government Chief Lord Speaker, Speaker and Whip Djenial. Both of Head Mod ready to be put these candidates have in place in MHOC, the experience at the top community of MHOC of MHOC, with both belearned of an interesting ing current Deputy developSpeakers. With the ment. Athanaton confirme house split on endorsd that he would be retiring ing the two Deputy from MHOC, despite being Speaker’s, the third offering the Head Mod po- speakership election is A controversial topic was the idea of wiping the whole of sition. This means MHOC set to be the closest yet. MHOC and restarting it again. will be forced to elect their Howevporarily declared to stand The important truth of this 3rd Speaker within six election is, however, er Djenial and Padanub are for Speaker, but later remonths, however this n’t the only candidates run- signed claiming a conspir- that MHOC needs to elect could be the most imacy against his campaign. the right Speaker. MHOC, ning in this election. Reportant of the three. Although there is one more now then ever with the resgionalist Party Leadcandidate in the running ignations and prominent Following on from the er alexwagbo has conwho has shocked many members leaving, needs a news that a new Speaker of firmed that he will be with his surprisingly imSpeaker who can hold the House would need to standing as the ‘0 Votes down the position and Candi- pressive manifesto. GoonerSam, who as bring some stability to date’ controversial as always got MHOC and help guide it and into a fight with Lib Dem through one of it’s trickiest the positions. We need a Shad- leader JellyTom when anSpeaker who can listen to ow For- nouncing his candidacy, pleasantly shocked many the community and take eign aboard their ideas. We Secre- members of the House when revealing his manineed a Speaker who has the festo. Pledging to remove experience, knowledge and national seats and estabjudgement to take the corlishing an elected Backrect decisions when needbench Business Commited. We need a Speaker who tee to mention some of his has the right ideas and the The next Speaker will shape the way MHOC policies. right vision for MHOC. We works alongside the Lord Speaker and Bnzss. Can GoonerSam pull off a need to pick the correct be appointed, nominations tary, InfernoPlato standing shock underdog victory? Or speaker. can other speaker candiopened. From this on the sole manifesto of emerged two frontstandardising flairs. Con- date Jas1066 surprise MHOC after a strong Q and runners, National MP and troversial Vuckt also temA. ROADTOTHESHOW
7
News
The Budget PETROSAC
The 6th Government’s budget passed this week. What does this mean for our country, and how has MHoC reacted to it? Former Liberal Democrat Leader Bnzss was tasked
The Budget took plenty of time to write, and was highly anticipated once it reached the house. The budget included a vast amount of ideas new and old including Basic Income, which Bnzss said he was most proud of when I sat down with him in his constituency, Lesser Wessex.
poration tax, but instead opted to lower V.A.T, even though he would have liked to have lowered both.
bility of debt repayments being missed, which will continue to go on. The irony of this is the ConservaI also spoke to the Shadow tive’s own £110bn black hole from their budget, Chancellor, Mepzie, who said that whilst the Official which many members still bring up. Nevertheless, the Opposition were happy that large departments like Government will have to clear this up, or the budget Health were protected or will constantly be in doubt. had their spending increase, it was felt that some It is clear that the budget departments received too has divided opinion in the much money. Mepzie went house, but after passing onto say that the Opposithrough the Commons tion were unhappy with the with relative ease (66 Ayes influence of the Radical and 39 Nays), the GovernSocialist Party over the ment can claim a strong budget, causing “extreme victory. It remains to be overspending”. seen if this will allow them There has been a lot of con- to push on, or be the hightroversy around the possi- light of their term.
However, when I delved deeper (and after a nice warm Coffee) he did admit that he regretted extending the franchise to 16 year olds, though he went on to explain that changing this would be The Red box that concealed relatively simple. Bnzss althe details on Bnzss’ budget. so went on to say that he with this term’s budget. wished he had lowered cor-
MHOC’s most radical policy to date. huge waves of the country with a maximum of £12,000 a year from the Basic Income is the most Government. The Annual far reaching and radical cost of basic income will be policy MHOC has ever £393 Billion. That makes passed. Despite this it Basic Income three time as passed easily, with little expensive as the NHS and debate. You would have six times as expensive as thought the right wing the Education budget. The would rally against the bill Government is predicting as they had rallied against an increasing deficit in the nothing else, yet a motion coming years. Of the £393 on a possible referendum Billion the government is regarding the monarchy spending on basic income, elicited more of a response. around £21 billion will be given to the richest 10% in Basic Income provides the country.
One of the most significant aspects of basic income was a change made between the first and second readings where the Chancellor brought down the qualifying age to 16 in order to 'please the crowd' as he put it. Many are worried about what impact this could have on school leaving rates, especially among the most vulnerable and poorest individuals in the country. It has often been a struggle to keep vulnerable individuals in school beyond 16 years old and many
TETP
8
fear that giving 16 year old's £12,000 a years may discourage them from attending school. Middle class teenagers with pushy parents are likely to be less effected by the change however. The Budget now goes to the lords who can do little to oppose it. Basic Income should therefore become a reality within a relatively short period of time and the country shall be changed for ever.
News
The Lords in the 7th Government KAISER WILHEIM I
The cial Opposition. Which is interesting because the Conservatives( only party in House of Lords is somethe OO) has a higher turntimes considered the less out than the Green Party, powerful of the two cham- and are barely trailing bebers. This is true, due to hind the Liberal Demothe limitations imposed on crats, however the only it in the Parliament Acts. thing really keeping the However, recently with the Government turnout rate Secularisation bill it has so high is the Labour party. come to the attention of Which has the highest some that the Lords can turnout rate in the Lords wield some influence in since the new Government. the house. The analysis of While the Government and Government, Opposition, Opposition are fairly close (Figure 1), the Unofficial Opposition was holding it’s own against the government, before B125, when activiFigure 1 ty dropped by about 30% due to inactivity by The Achievement Lord, and Vanguard and UKIP, howParty lord activity rate will ever the UO activity did imgive us an idea of who real- prove LB018-2 but not to ly controls the House of Pre-B125 levels. Overall the Lords. The new PM and big winner here is the Govdissolution of the Pirate ernment, with the highest Party has brought unto us a turnout rate of the three new Government, and the groups, 61%. The Official analysis of the four recent and Unofficial Oppositions bills should give us an idea were very close in average on the times to come. turnout about 49% and 50% Since the dissolution of the respectively.
Lordships are given to those who have improved the community significantly, however this takes a long time and one would think that most Achievement Lords are inactive and do not participate in the Community anymore. And this is true(Figure 2), on average Party Lords have a larger turnout rate by about 10%, this is a fairly significant number, and something should be done about the inactive ALs, because they are seats that do not do anything.
Figure 2 ing considering the focus on the Lords by the Vanguard. Generally leftist parties had lower turnout rates than the Tories, UKIP, and the Vanguard. This is most likely due to the fact that more leftist parties have lower turnout is most likely due to the fact that the parties generally have a negative view of the Lords as a conLabour having the highest, cept. on average, turnout rate The Lords is still relatively was already mentioned in powerless, however the the Government and Oppo- right-wing has a decisive sition turnout rates(Figure advantage. If the right 3). The second highest av- could somehow band toerage turnout is the Vangether on an issue, they guard, which is unsurpris- could possibly block legis-
Pirates, the Government The different types of Lordhas always higher turnout ships is an interesting diswhen compared to the Offi- tinction. Achievement
Figure 2 9
Interviews
Interviews
Making MHOC an exciting place again. An interview with GoonerSam D: What reforms are you planning to implement if you become Speaker?
bills waiting to be read in the House of Commons to send them to Lords of the G: The main reform that I same party, as I am led to believe that the Lords is plan to implement is the abolition of national seats, not suffering from such a backlog. to be replaced with additional constituencies and/ D: What kind of relationor an increase in the size of ship should Skype and constituencies. I would al- MHOC have? so like to establish an elect- G: I think that it should be
up to me. If it were not pass, I would be very interested in being personally involved in helping to write these Events, I’d like to think I’m quite creative. D: What are your thoughts regarding TheQuipton’s proposed election system?
G: It isn‘t a terrible idea by any stretch of the imaginaa very separate tion. That said, I would preone, people fer to first try out my elecshould only ev- toral system, as I think that er be disciit would lead to more interplined on esting elections. Should it MHOC for fail in addressing the leftthings they do wing bias MHOC suffers on Skype if they from however, I would GoonerSam wants to empower backhave done probably look to implebenchers in MHOC. something very ment TheQuipton’s eleced Backbench Business serious, otherwise I see no tion system, though I am Committee, who would be reason that the punishnot totally familiar with the responsible for setting the ment should not be conspecifics, I like the broad agenda one day a week. tained to Skype. idea of rewarding turnout D: How do you plan to reD: What are your thoughts lieve the bill backlog? regarding reviving the G: I would probably increase the number of bills submitted per day, although it may lead to less concentrated debate, I think it’s critical that we relieve some of this backlog. I would also encourage MPs who currently have
and participation. D: What should be prioritised, debate or simulation? G: I don’t see a need to prioritise either - as I have already mentioned, if I should win the Speakership I would seek to implement a Backbench Business Committee. Not only would this improve the realism of the simulation, but I think it would also lead to more interesting and varied debate. I don’t therefore think that it is necessary to prioritise one of these things over the other, they are certainly not mutually conservative, and if I become Speaker, I will ensure both are respected in equal measure.
Events Team on MHOC? G: I like the idea of events, as I stated in my manifesto, I would put whether or not we should include events up to a one time vote. I would personally prefer to see such a vote pass, but ultimately it would not be 10
A major issue concerning voters during the Speakership election is what will happen to the election system.
Interviews
Stability, the press, and regulation
An interview with Padanub
I: Why do you desire to take make sure this place is on the role of Speaker? structurally sound and can P: To quote Athanaton, we compete and live on its are at a crossroads, but not own two feet. Then I will look at the addition of epic the same crossroads he new features. faced upon his election. We are entering a period of administrative turmoil, structural turmoil, generational turmoil as AlbrechtVonRoon has pointed out. We are losing our old guard and our new guard are needing to step up. I'm running for Speaker, because I believe I can foster our new talent while keeping our existing talent interested, I also believe I am the only candidate with the required experience and real life stability to take a role such as this. I: In recent times, every speaker has had something new to bring to the table, a new proposition. For you, what would this be? P: My priority really, is to tackle our issues. My manifesto (to be released shortly) focuses on our Current Issues and Agendas, our future issues and agendas, issues the past speaker has brought up and my take on all of it. I don't believe I am here to put forward radical ideas on how to best change MHOC, I'm here to be an administrator, to
and it overpowers you. Second to this, people have lives, most people have exams or University as I've said in my announcement. I'm offering a change to I can reveal however, that I that, I'm a Self-Employed am in favour of moving us Designer, I have no exams, more towards a simulation no university, no great life change. than a debate chamber. I believe that with the simu- I cannot promise I will not lation, with the spontaneity be disillusioned four of vested interests we will months into the job, but I be able to have a much bet- am willing to make a promter debate on even minor ise now, that I will serve a subjects, rather than just a minimum of six months to yelling of ideologies that a year with hopes of serving has been done before. a lot longer. What we need most is stability in our new Once people have vested Triumvirate and New Leadinterests elsewhere that can be linked to legislation ership and that is why I'm hoping to win, because (MHOCWagers will be linked to gambling regula- that is what I offer
regulation. I'll drop a quote from an earlier Q&A I hosted: “I'm a big part of the MHoCPress culture of bullying I guess and that's been my fault and I apologize to those I've upset, especially Cal and the MBBC (we made our peace before he unfortunately left), and my newspaper has exacerbated it, but I'll give you a leak from my manifesto.�
MHOCPress has recently come under new light after I pushed some buttons. I crafted this drama in an attempt to bring some hilarious drama into MHOC, but also, to bring some issues to light. When members are leaving and the press is part of what contributed their decision, we tion and tax from MHOC) I: There have been widemust take a look at what is then we will see a more spread complaints about happening. If elected spontaneous debate and the conduct of the press Speaker, I will happily work argument than "oh but I recently, many directed believe this" specifically at your publica- with the press on setting out some ethical guidetion, the Sun. lines (not rules!) so that we I: Recently, speakers have Do you believe this is a con- can maximize the enjoynot served particularly flict that will haunt you ment and stay of all inlengthy terms, why do you during your bid for the volved." think this is? speakership? Unfortunately, MHOCPress P: Life and Oversaturation. P: I don't believe so. My will be out of my jurisdicPublication did a number tion (goes to the head mod As someone who has run a of bad things, leaked I believe) upon the election Roleplaying Site(which things it shouldn't of. Part(if I win). mhoc essentially is) for ly to cause drama but nine years, I've wanted to But ultimately, no, I will leave atleast twice a month. mainly to reveal a gaping promise to sever my Press problem in MHOC and You get far too much, of ties upon election as MHOCPress, the lack of the same crap constantly Speaker. 11
Voices
Voices
Opinions from MHOC members. ● Opinions from both Journalists and members of the public. ● Featuring JellyTom, Deputy Prime Minister. ● Discuss anything from real-life to MHOC related.
12
Voices
The abolition of the NHS as we know it, and why we should privatise it. IMPERIAL_
The NHS, a cornerstone of this nation’s very being. My question is, how did it come to this? How did we let a piece of policy become seemingly etched into our national identity? Why shouldn’t we look into healthcare with an open mind like we do in almost every other aspect of government policy? It’s an obsession. It would also be worth stressing that this is a uniquely British obsession, throughout Europe there is a variety of different health care providers working alongside and within state provide health care. A prime example can be found in Germany where over two-thirds of healthcare is provided by private entities, in Sweden private companies have been invited to provide GP and Hospital services to reduce the pressure placed upon their services.
sion agree on this point, the head of NHS England Bruce Keogh believes that without massive changes to the way we run our NHS, the service may fail to cope. In early 2015, Keogh told the Guardian newspaper “If the NHS continues to give a round of applause to function as it does now, it’s the left for managing to going to really struggle to convince the public that cope because the model of the NHS simply wouldn’t delivery and service that we work in our interest if any have at the moment is not aspect of its day-to-day run- fit for the future.”, NHS ning was handed over to private hands. For the life of me, I don’t know how they managed it, they’ve seemingly formed a religion around a bit of policy.
running of the service telling you that something radical must be proposed and enacted. Another unfortunate truth for some is that there are benefits to a privatised health service! Privatisation would increase the quality of health care patients receive, this would occur through increased competition between firms in order to obtain contracts available within the health
The truth is, as hard as it must be to hear, that the NHS would not implode The NHS has become a part of British culture and thousands turn out to protest against it being privatised when it is threatened. upon privatiChief Executive Simon Ste- service. An example can sation. In fact, privatisation may be the only thing vens going further by sayalready be found within the ing “It’s the right thing to that can save our NHS. As United Kingdom, in Beddo and if we don’t do it, people live longer, equipfordshire, the local NHS we’re going to end up with ment becomes more exhas requested from several an unaffordable and unrepensive and our population different organisations sponsive version of the increases we will struggle opinions on the best apmodel we’ve got.”. It is very to fund this ‘beloved’ instiproach to be put towards difficult to ignore two senproviding the best possible When you think about it, it tution. Thus, privatisation ior medical officials inis inevitable and necessary. is a bit bizarre. We must Experts within the profes- volved in the day-to-day See more Page 14 13
Voices From Page 13
service to those suffering from chronic back pain, the solution they came to was to allow private companies, NHS hospitals and GP practices to bid, the winning bidder will take on the service for the next five years. The winner will be chosen from the organisation which demonstrates it can provide the best service for patients, so rather than just receiving whatever the NHS provides all approaches will be put to the test in open and fair competition and without excluding the possibility that a private
firm could take on the con- fluence into the success of tract. the health service.
from each of the groups. This is supported by vari“Power to the people!” I One of the reasonable con- ous different sources and hear you shout, I ask what cerns that are often felt by studies, some even suggesting a higher quality of really is putting the power the public would be the health care being provided into people’s hands? I concern of whether the by private firms. would argue that privatisa- quality of care will detion actually provides this crease, those concerns, The worrying factor here is by allowing ordinary peohowever reasonable, can be the previously mentioned ple to purchase shares laid to rest. In March of religion-like loyalty to the within their national 2015 the health charity NHS in its current state, health service and since ‘The King’s Fund’ came to regardless we will have to organisations are required the conclusion (taken from make a choice in the next to be accountable and reseveral samples in for50 years. Do we begin to sponsible to their shareprofit, not-for-profit and lower the number of serholders, this provides the state health care) that a vices in which we provide general public with more near consistent quality of or do we look towards the of a direct interest and in- healthcare was provided private sector?
Liberal Democrats - Will the kingmakers ever be king? is therefore a forgone conclusion that the Prime Minister be drawn from its Yesterday the Labour party ranks. That may be tradigot its 4th Prime Minister. tion but its is certainly not As with the three previous a necessity and if you look Labour Prime Minisat the Maths and the ideoters RachelChamberlain logical position of MHOC's leads a Government supparties it is undoubtedly ported by the Liberal Dem- the Liberal Democrats that ocrats. You would forgive are the king makers. the Liberal Democrats for If they wanted to the Liberthinking that after so many al Democrats have it within occasions in which they their power to remove where the Bridesmaid they themselves from the Govmight finally want to be the ernment, topple Labour Bride. and form a workable GovTETP
The obvious answer to such a thought is that the Labour party is the biggest party in Government and it
ernment with the right. A coalition of the left could not rival the numbers of a Liberal-Tory-UKIP coali-
tion supported by the Vanguard and it would be just as unworkable on ideological grounds. This is more so the case since the 4th General election than at any time during the previous Labour/ Liberal Governments. The Liberal Democrats have only 4 less MPs than the Labour party and received only 3% less of the vote at the general election. Given the politics of the Labour party they really also have little ability to use the radical leftist parties as leverage against the Liberal Democrats.
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To put it bluntly, the Labour Party needs the Liberal Democrats to survive in Government and owes its place in Number 10 to the party in Orange. Yet, despite the apparently powerful position of the Liberal Democrats they have never once asked for one of their own to be moved into number 10. It has never even be put up for discussion. With the full knowledge of the facts one really does have to ask, what is wrong with the Lib Dems?
Voices
Five months on, what has been the effect of the House of Lords on MHOC? down the legislative process significantly. Of course this was expected, Since the creation of we are after all adding in MHOC the addition of the several more readings and Upper House was seen as a another house for the bill necessary step towards a to go through. However I'm fully functioning parlianot sure that anybody prement. It has now been dicted quite how slow the many months since the process would become. Lords started to operate Since the first bill was read and we are able to begin to TETP
legislation is now proposed, that we have more active members and that the first two months of the five before the Lords where set up included a Tory/ UKIP government that found it more difficult to pass legislation. Due to the lengthened legislative process we should
The current Government came into power promising to fulfil far more of its manifesto than any Government before it and to reject the sort of pet projects that we have seen before. However, asked at his last ever Prime Ministers Questions to confirm what percentage of the Coalitions manifesto had been passed into law the former PM can_triforce responded saying "a relatively small fraction of policy has been implemented so far". Although the legislative output of the government could be higher it nevertheless seems to be true that the impact of the Lords was not accounted for when they drew up an ambitiously large coalition agreement.
Nevertheless the Lords can be seen as a success. A focus on steady growth appears to be paying of. In many ways the Commons The turnout of Lords during bills has been disappointing, especially the turnout of could learn a lot from the Achievement Lords. Many party lords have also gone inactive. administration of the see what impact it is hapin the Lords on 10th Aunow expect to see Govern- Lords. However all parties pening on the legislative gust 25 Bills have been ments able to do far less must consider the impact process. passed and will become or over one term. As a conse- of the Lords when camUpon studying the activity have already become Law. quence, if Parties are to be paigning in the next elecof MHOC since the creaIn the preceding 5 months honest and responsible tion. It may well be the case tion of the Lords one point before the Lords became they should be pledging to that when it comes to the is immediately obvious. active that number was 32. do far less in their manifes- manifestos for GE V that The Lords has slowed Also consider that more to's. less is more. 15
Voices
Is the CVS the way forward for MHOC? ROADTOTHESHOW
With the Speaker elections going on, and the proposed new electoral system on MHOCMeta. A new electoral system is a hot topic within MHOC. With many ideas being suggested, I’m here to propose a new one, which will make MHOC more realistic and make the ‘game’ actually mean something in elections. This voting system will be called the ‘Consequence Voting System’ (CVS) for the purpose of this article. CVS takes some ideas from other voting systems, what once was drafted up a couple of months ago, has undergone a few changes regarding criticism. So I present you the final overview of CVS. Essentially the CVS attempts to make elections more realistic by having parties’ actions during the term reflect their election results. This will be done by having an independent person (or group in terms of the Triumvirate) change voting modifiers throughout the term, which will be used in the next election. An example of this can be if a Green MP would openly blast gay rights in a debate. This would be, for example, a 3% decrease in the ‘polls’.
However, later on in the term the Greens fulfill their manifesto promise of scrapping Trident. Therefore their polls will go up by 5%. At the end of the term the Greens now have a 2% increase in the polls. This will be added to all vote totals in each constituency. So for example if the Greens got 100 votes in the South London constituency, they would then get 102. This would apply to all parties, changing depending on their ‘polling score’. Scores can also be done by constituency only if needed to be rather than nationwide if the demand is there. Things that will be effected by CVS would be the failure to submit manifesto promises to the House, passing legislation that relates to the manifesto, ‘controversial’ comments by MP’s (things that go against their manifesto) and ‘mistakes’ (such as the bobbybarf invasion saga) to name a few. One of the differences between CVS and the voting system proposed in MHOCMeta is that the direct percentage figures will be secret. They shall only be revealed halfway
through the term in an official opinion poll and can be hinted at with events. For example, a riot targeted at the government signifies the government parties have a negative percentage score. However if the Vanguard got a press article reporting surge in party membership this would hint at a positive percentage score. One of the criticisms I received about this voting
UKIP MP saying it would give them a negative score. My reasoning for CVS is that we need a new electoral system. Something to help balance the leftist bias of reddit and make elections truly reflect what each party have done this term so that there’s more incentive to keep activity up and produce legislation. This system would also increase the need to keep MP’s in line, increase the
Do we need to counter reddit’s left leaning bias? system is that is limits people to say what they want, fearing that their party will suffer as a result. However under CVS, the negative vote modifiers would only work if the parties MP’s went against their manifesto. For example the Vanguard would be free to say transphobic comments, yet Labour wouldn’t. Likewise the RSP saying they wanted a republic wouldn’t change the modifier, however a
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powers rebel MP’s have and make manifestos more important as what to put in/leave out will improve their next election score if they can pass it/attempt to pass it in the next term. I hope that I’ve convinced you to support, or at least acknowledge and listen to the method of CVS and I hope that this voting method, or something similar to it can be implemented under the new Speaker.
Voices
Smoking in Hospitals JELLYTOM
When I was invited to write an article for the Independent, I was initially struggling to come up with what to write, but having promised to produce something (We Lib Dems always keep our promises after all) I pondered the various issues that we face on a daily basis – and what I could say about them. It was infact a hospital appointment letter that arrived through the door this morning that inspired the topic of my piece. As I say, probably far too often, I am a Cystic Fibrosis sufferer, and that condition affects my Lungs primarily. It is illegal to smoke in hospital grounds in the UK, yet every single time I visit the hospital, I walk through various groups of people smoking. One was even holding a very newborn baby in one arm, and smoking in the other, while leaning on a no smoking sign at my local Royal Derby Hospital. I lose track of the amount of times I have confronted people just to receive slightly guilty yet sarcastic answers regarding their breaking of the law. It has led me to be-
come extremely concerned as to why a law that does in fact have a large impact on public health – open windows in the new born ward are right above one of the usual ‘hangouts’ for smokers in Derby and the health risks of 2nd hand smoke for day old Babies is ex-
opening smoking areas in the hospital grounds, more CCTV, specialist security forces (Not as military oriented as that sounds!) to remove and arrest people who break this vital law, or even just starting to arrest people myself after my next Physio session! I would be
Would they be arrested? Would the bar staff ignore them? Would they face criminal charges for breaking the law? So, I do ask that everyone takes an increased level of vigilance, around Hospitals, and challenges anyone who is breaking the law. I
The Deputy Prime Minister wants to toughen up on people who are breaking the law by smoking on hospital grounds. do so on a regular basis, tremely high – is so under very curious to see the reac- and it is good to apply the enforced, that I see doctors tion if someone lit up a cig- sass the RSP take too much and nurses walking past arette in a public house offence too to people outsmokers and not even chal- one of these days, and real- side the house. lenging them. ly when you are not dealing Over the coming weeks and with dozens of unborn babies, and people with serimonths, I plan to spearous lung conditions such head legislation that will as myself, that would be aim to eradicate these less serious than smoking criminals from Hospital on Hospital grounds. grounds, whether that be 17
References
References Dynamic_12 is Jeremy Corbyn. Electric-blue is Shahrar Ali. GoonerSam is EnochPowell. Imperial_ is John Major JellyTom is Tim Farron. Padanub is John Bercow. PetrosAC is David Laws RachelCham-
berlain is Tony Blair. Roadtotheshow is Steven Woolfe. TETP is Clement Attlee.
â—? Please contact dynamic_12 if you want to secure your political representative for a future edition of The Independent 18
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“Politics and the fate of mankind, are shaped by men without ideals and without greatness. Men who have greatness within them don’t go in for politics.” - Albert Camus
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