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Fear of NHS bill damage to Tories Fear of NHS bill damage to Tories
(40 minutes later)
The planned NHS overhaul in England is "an unexploded bomb" under Tory electoral prospects, according to the ConservativeHome website. The planned NHS overhaul in England is "an unexploded bomb" under Tory electoral prospects, according to the grassroots ConservativeHome website.
An online editorial said putting the NHS back at the centre of debate was David Cameron's biggest mistake as PM. href="http://conservativehome.blogs.com/thetorydiary/2012/02/the-unnecessary-and-unpopular-nhs-bill-could-cost-the-conservative-party-the-next-election-cameron-m.html" >An editorial said putting the NHS back at the centre of debate was David Cameron's biggest mistake as PM.
The government has made scores of concessions on its Health and Social Care Bill, which is opposed by Labour and facing a tough test in the Lords. The government has made a series of concessions on its Health and Social Care Bill, which is opposed by Labour and facing a tough test in the Lords.
The ConservativeHome website is popular with the party's grassroots.
The plans would be the biggest shake-up since the founding of the NHS in 1948.The plans would be the biggest shake-up since the founding of the NHS in 1948.
But the editorial on ConservativeHome calls for much of the bill to be scrapped, claiming there are three members of the cabinet who are sceptical about its future. But the article by ConservativeHome editor Tim Montgomerie calls for much of the bill to be scrapped and claims there are three members of the cabinet who are sceptical about its future.
The issue of the NHS has been returned to the centre of political debate after it had previously been neutralised as a negative issue for the Conservatives, the editorial argues. The issue of the NHS has been returned to the centre of political debate after it had previously been neutralised as a negative issue for the Conservatives, he argues.
The bill, it says, is "an unexploded bomb beneath the party's electoral prospects and David Cameron should defuse it". The bill, he says, is "an unexploded bomb beneath the party's electoral prospects and David Cameron should defuse it".
Some uncontroversial provisions in the bill could still be pushed through with cross-party consensus, it adds.Some uncontroversial provisions in the bill could still be pushed through with cross-party consensus, it adds.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said: "This week the government made 136 changes to its own plans to reform the health service in England to try to get their legislation through the House of Lords, where it is currently undergoing a rigorous clause-by-clause examination. This week the government made 136 changes to its own plans to reform the NHS in England to try to get the bill through the House of Lords, where peers are examining it clause by clause.
"Downing Street felt they had done enough to win over sceptical Lib Dem peers, but today the health bill is attacked from a new flank." BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said the government had felt it had done enough to win over sceptical Lib Dem peers, but Mr Montgomerie's article suggested the bill was now being attacked from a new flank.
Our correspondent said that certainly there had been cabinet-level concerns about whether to pursue the bill or seek to implement changes "in a lower profile manner". Our correspondent said that there had been cabinet-level concerns about whether to pursue the bill or seek to implement changes "in a lower profile manner".
But he added: "Downing Street is emphasising that the prime minister is committed to the reforms, has no intention of dropping the health bill, and believes the furore will subside within six months."
The bill's proposals include putting GPs in control of much of the NHS budget, and encouraging greater competition with the private sector.The bill's proposals include putting GPs in control of much of the NHS budget, and encouraging greater competition with the private sector.
Opposition to the bill from medical professionals - including the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing - has led to speculation about Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's position.Opposition to the bill from medical professionals - including the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing - has led to speculation about Health Secretary Andrew Lansley's position.
However, in a letter to the Times this week, 54 NHS Trust directors backed the plan to allow hospitals to raise up to 49% of their income from private patients, saying there were "sound medical and clinical reasons" for it.However, in a letter to the Times this week, 54 NHS Trust directors backed the plan to allow hospitals to raise up to 49% of their income from private patients, saying there were "sound medical and clinical reasons" for it.