Private Healthcare - the MPs gravy train that needs derailing

When a private healthcare company gives a donation to the Health Secretary, they aren't doing it becasue they think he has a nice personality. Equally when they bung £50k to the Prime Minister, it isn't for his charm and wit. Corporate donations to MPs clearly expect a return. Our MPs owners aren't doing it for the good of their health. There is something particularly shitty about donations from companies or individuals that are pushing a private healthcare agenda because this flies directly against the NHS.

What is particularly distasteful is that the Labour Party, the Party of Bevan is awash with private healthcare bungs. We expect it of the Tories but this is sickening. Senior Government Ministers have received significant donations from individuals and entities linked to private healthcare. Notable examples include:

Collectively, the Labour front bench has received nearly £650,000 from donors associated with private health companies, surpassing similar donations to the Conservative Party by approximately 25%. SKWAWKBOX

These financial connections have raised clearly raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, especially given Labour's plans to increase the use of private sector resources to address NHS challenges. Critics argue that such ties could influence policy decisions, potentially leading to further NHS privatisation. SKWAWKBOX+4Public Square+4inkl+4 inkl+1Public Square+1

The extent of these financial links has prompted debate about the influence of private healthcare interests on public health policy.The NationalPublic Square+1The National+1

A number of British Members of Parliament (MPs) and members of the House of Lords have received donations or payments from private healthcare companies.

Shabana Mahmood, the Labour Member of Parliament for Birmingham Ladywood and current Justice Secretary, has received £136,168 in donations linked to private healthcare interests. Notably:UK Parliament+2MPs and Lords - UK Parliament+2TheyWorkForYou+2. In this:

Martin Taylor, a hedge fund manager whose firm, Crake Asset Management, holds significant shares in U.S. private health corporations—including $39 million (£30 million) in UnitedHealth and $7 million (£5.4 million) in Elevance Health—donated £20,000 to Mahmood in July 2023. privatisation.everydoctor.org.uk+1Canary+1
Rising Brook Health, a company registered in Stafford, contributed £2,500 to Mahmood on June 3, 2024. Parallel Parliament+1MPs and Lords - UK Parliament+1
Labour Together Limited, a think tank with substantial donations from individuals connected to private healthcare, provided staff support valued at £137,168 to Mahmood between April and December 2024. The Independent

These donations are publicly declared in the Register of Members' Financial Interests, ensuring transparency. MPs and Lords - UK Parliament+4UK Parliament+4Canary+4

Of course it's not just the Labour front bench with their snouts in the trough. Tom Tugendhat, the Conservative Member of Parliament for Tonbridge and Malling and former Security Minister, has received substantial donations, particularly during his 2024 Conservative Party leadership campaign. While these donations are publicly declared in the Register of Members' Financial Interests, there is no explicit evidence linking them directly to private healthcare companies or U.S. pharmaceutical or health insurance firms. However, some donors have notable business interests that may intersect with the healthcare sector:Ayes To The Right

AccuRx Ltd: Tugendhat holds shares in AccuRx Ltd, a software company that develops communication technology for healthcare providers. He has held these shares since March 6, 2017. UK Parliament+1Parallel Parliament+1
Michael Tory: An individual donor who contributed £5,000 on April 28, 2023, to support Tugendhat's office expenses. Ayes To The Right
Lord Michael Hintze: Another individual donor who provided £3,000 on December 12, 2023. Ayes To The Right

Additionally, Tugendhat received significant donations during his leadership campaign from various individuals and companies, including:

Countywide Developments Limited: A company that donated £50,000 on October 2, 2024. Parallel Parliament
Sir Mick Davis: Former Conservative Party treasurer who donated £20,000 on September 30, 2024. Parallel Parliament
Blue WV Ltd: A company that provided supplies valued at £3,797.27 for Tugendhat's leadership campaign on July 12, 2024. MPs and Lords - UK Parliament

A quick search the the Register of members interests shows an absolute rats nest of donations. Let's just think about that word 'donation'. The rich as we know thoruhg taxation, aren't that keen on giving money away, so the very fact that these donations are happening at all gives rise to what is wanted in return.

Additionally, Penny Mordaunt, the former Leader of the House of Commons who lost her seat , received a £10,000 donation from Renaissance Care UK, a care home firm. inkl+1The Mirror+1

It is clear that these donors want a slice of the NHS. And the Government under Wes Streeting has enabled this by abolishing NHS England and introducing a fast track to NHS contracts for private healthcare under the Prcurement Act 2024.

Worringly, it's not just donations from healthcare companies but that's for another blog. How much money do these fuckers want? At a time when teh country is in a cost of living crisis it's bonanza time for our politicians. Kerching - and of course all this money comes at a price.

It's clear that MPs having donations from private healthcare interests is a conflict of interest in terms of the NHS and its future as a service free at the point of need. It is concerning that although the donations are declared in the register of members interests, what the donors get in return is opaque to say the least. Such ties clearly influence decision-making processes related to healthcare policies. It's important to note that all donations are declared in the MPs' register of interests, and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing, but it does stink a bit doesn't it. There is a question of morality. The extent of these financial links has certainly prompted debate about the influence of private healthcare interests on public health policy. It is of particulr concern that our Health Minister, the man who's brief is the stewardship and well being of the NHS is so linked to private healthcare and right-wing think tanks who both have a vested interest in seeing our NHS become an insurance based healthcare system. A final point. Anyone can get sick or have an accident and to date nobday has had to go bankrupt in the UK because of healthcare costs. In the US over 600,000 a year go bankrupt and an unknown amount just don't get the care the need and become part of the annual death stats. Private healthcare and the hedge funds that Wes Streeting cosies up to so much want that here.

For the Minister in charge of the henhouse, being a fox may be benficial, but it's certainly not much fun for the hens.