This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-16976199

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Fear of NHS bill damage to Tories Tory call for health bill changes
(about 2 hours later)
The planned NHS overhaul in England is "an unexploded bomb" under Tory electoral prospects, according to the grassroots ConservativeHome website.  
David Cameron should drop much of the controversial bill aimed at overhauling the NHS in England, according to the grassroots ConservativeHome website.
An editorial said putting the NHS back at the centre of debate was David Cameron's biggest mistake as PM.An editorial said putting the NHS back at the centre of debate was David Cameron's biggest mistake as PM.
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. Ministers have made concessions on the href="http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2010-11/healthandsocialcare.html" >Health and Social Care Bill to try to head off a rebellion by Lib Dem peers.
The plans would be the biggest shake-up since the founding of the NHS in 1948. But PM David Cameron backed the bill on Wednesday - amid calls from Labour to drop it entirely.
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. He also stood by his health secretary, Andrew Lansley, amid speculation about his position following opposition to the bill from medical professionals' groups.
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 plans would be the biggest shake-up since the founding of the NHS in 1948 and would put GPs in control of much of its budget.
The bill, he says, is "an unexploded bomb beneath the party's electoral prospects and David Cameron should defuse it". Among concessions offered by the government have been strengthening the accountability of the health secretary, to guarantee "beyond doubt" his duty to keep the overall NHS intact.
Some uncontroversial provisions in the bill could still be pushed through with cross-party consensus, it adds. BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said the government had felt it had done enough to win over sceptical Lib Dem peers, but the ConservativeHome article suggested the bill was now being attacked from a new flank.
The article by the website's editor Tim Montgomerie calls for much of the bill to be scrapped and says three Conservative cabinet ministers have contacted him with concerns.
He says the "unnecessary and unpopular" bill could cost the party the next general election - and urges the prime minister to "kill it".
He told the BBC there was "huge concern" about the NHS bill in the Conservative party - and said there was a feeling that most of the changes needed to improve efficiency could be achieved without the bill.
He said that if David Cameron chose to carry on with the bill, it would be blamed for all the problems the NHS would have faced anyway, because of tight spending over the next few years
"I think that is the most dangerous path for him. I think it will be a millstone around the Conservatives' neck because all problems will be blamed on the bill unfairly."
He added that while scrapping the most contentious bits of the bill and looking for cross-party consensus would be "embarrassing in the short run" - it would take the heat out of the NHS row.
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.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.
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 there had been cabinet-level concerns about whether to pursue the bill or seek to implement changes "in a lower profile manner".
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.