Why has Sunak dropped the NHS from his newly minted promises (well, one was a repeat) and does this austerity budget herald an election in May?

There's no quick fix for the NHS so not a quick vote winner. It's difficult to know about the May election but I think Sunak would rather go at a time of his choosing rather than the last possible time, so yes, I think they are considering a May election.

There is no quick fix foxie; that's true. What I was refering to, however is that one of the promises made earlier in the year was:

Fourth, NHS waiting lists will fall and people will get the care they need more quickly.

In the new promises, one of his many resets, there is no mention of it. Considering the NHS's place in the British psyche I wonder what message that sends.

May seems to me to have gone up a notch. They will certainly want it before thing unravel again although I only give the Autumn Statement until the weekend papers until it does just that

For me, Sunak’s omission of the NHS in his ‘revised’ pledges shows precisely what he thinks of it. The NHS as a publicly funded institution, free at the point of need, is abhorrent to Sunak and his Tory cronies. They don’t need to use the NHS; they believe in private enterprise and profit-making; they believe in individual wealth over social justice. It’s clear that what they really want is an American style private health care system based on ability to pay, not vulnerability and need. I only hope that the NHS is uppermost in people’s minds when they vote in the GE. Another term of Tory government would see the death of this precious institution.

I am very confused. The new NHS long term plan was revealed by Amanda Pritchard at the end of June. New innovative ways of training, working, using robots etc. Sunak probably thinks the report with 151 pages covers his list? Ticked off the list? Although I am wondering why Sunak only allows himself 5 items each time? I can manage more…..

ronib

I am very confused. The new NHS long term plan was revealed by Amanda Pritchard at the end of June. New innovative ways of training, working, using robots etc. Sunak probably thinks the report with 151 pages covers his list? Ticked off the list? Although I am wondering why Sunak only allows himself 5 items each time? I can manage more…..

You appear to have got hold of the wrong end of the stick ronib. Or possibly the wrong stick altogether.

DAR. Please remind me therefore what the stick looks like?

Sunak's only hope - given Labour's poll lead - is to offer as many voter bribes as possible regardless of the longer term consequences and to play on traditional fears of immigration, etc.

ronib

I am very confused. The new NHS long term plan was revealed by Amanda Pritchard at the end of June. New innovative ways of training, working, using robots etc. Sunak probably thinks the report with 151 pages covers his list? Ticked off the list? Although I am wondering why Sunak only allows himself 5 items each time? I can manage more…..

He's only got four fingers and a thumb and is sitting on his other hand.