Pro-privatisation peers in health firms' pockets

Voting records exposed by the union reveal that a host of so-called "backswoodsman" peers - those usually absent from the House of Lords - have been instrumental in pushing through the pro-privatisation Health and Social Care Bill.

Its second reading in early October saw the biggest turnout by members of the notoriously part-time chamber since the 1993 Maastricht Treaty debate.

And many of those who turned up to back the Bill work for companies that stand to gain from its passing or work as lobbyists.

Unite's list of shame included tax-avoiding billionaire and health firm investor Lord Ashcroft, health privateer Bupa director Baroness Bottomley, lobbyists Baroness Cumberlege, Saatchi & Saatchi founder Lord Bell and Lord Chadlington and NHS IT supplier AMT-Sybex Group director Lord Coe.

Unite national officer for health Rachael Maskell accused the peers today of hijacking democracy "for the financial benefit of the private healthcare companies, many of whom have made large contributions to the Tory Party since Prime Minister David Cameron became its leader in 2005.

"It is an indelible stain on parliamentary democracy that, while the vast majority of the electorate don't want their NHS privatised, a cabal of unelected peers, riddled with vested financial self-interest, can be mobilised to thwart the wishes of voters."

The Bill reached the committee stage in the Lords today.

willstone@peoples-press.com