{"id":2495,"date":"2024-09-14T17:37:21","date_gmt":"2024-09-14T17:37:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/lib-dem-leader-invest-in-nhs-or-accept-decline\/"},"modified":"2024-09-14T17:37:21","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T17:37:21","slug":"lib-dem-leader-invest-in-nhs-or-accept-decline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/lib-dem-leader-invest-in-nhs-or-accept-decline\/","title":{"rendered":"Lib Dem leader: Invest in NHS or accept decline"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Lib Dem leader: Invest in NHS or accept decline<\/p>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1b5y2ub-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-fmt1c3-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey\" loading=\"eager\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/6wSytI.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/a932\/live\/23d0ada0-72aa-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 976w\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1152\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"byline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1hbb5i-BylineComponentWrapper e8mq1e90\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-qt5zqv-BylineWrapper e8mq1e917\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h3c0s8-ContributorContainer e8mq1e916\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u2in0b-Container-ContributorDetails e8mq1e913\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-68pt20-Text-TextContributorName e8mq1e96\">Joshua Nevett<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-84ltp5-Text e8mq1e910\">Political reporter, in Brighton<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-84ltp5-Text e8mq1e910\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1q14p6q-LinkWithChevronContainer e8mq1e91\">@JoshuaNevett<span class=\"ssrcss-86zs3k-IconContainer-IconContainerChevron e8mq1e93\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M21.6 14.3 5.5 31h6.4l14.6-15L11.9 1H5.5l16.1 16.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-jlwt2c-Divider e8mq1e915\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"metadata-block\" class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2024-09-14T16:32:35.199Z\">1 hour ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey is urging the Labour government to \u201cinvest more in the NHS or accept continued decline\u201d.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Ed is calling for a \u201cbudget for the NHS\u201d in October, with more investment in hospitals and training doctors, nurses and dentists.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The party says the NHS needs \u00a33.7bn a year extra in day-to-day spending, and a further \u00a31.1bn a year for investment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The NHS and social care are the main focuses of the party\u2019s autumn conference in Brighton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The conference comes in the week a report by surgeon and independent peer Lord Darzi described the NHS as a \u201cbroken system\u201d that was in \u201cserious trouble\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The former Labour minister&#8217;s report said the NHS had been \u201cstarved\u201d of funding for hospital repairs and faced a shortfall of \u00a337bn of investment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In response, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer promised a 10-year plan for the NHS, but he said there would be no extra funding without reform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lib Dem leader is using his party\u2019s conference to say reform on its own will not be enough, ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves&#8217;s autumn budget.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">\u201cWe need to see a budget for the NHS, with investment to fix our crumbling hospitals, replace ageing equipment and ensure people can see a GP or dentist when they need to,\u201d Sir Ed said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">\u201cThe government can only deliver the improvements that patients urgently need with additional investment in the NHS alongside reform.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">\u201cThe government faces a stark choice: invest more in the NHS or accept continued decline.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"subheadline-block\" class=\"ssrcss-19w8cxh-ComponentWrapper-HeadlineComponentWrapper egtrm1f0\">\n<h2 id=\"Dividing-lines\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-pbttu9-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Dividing lines<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lib Dems were in a sunny mood befitting of the weather in Brighton, as they celebrated winning 72 seats &#8211; their most-ever MPs &#8211; in July\u2019s general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Ed &#8211; who carried out a series of daring stunts during the election campaign &#8211; opened the conference in eye-catching fashion, by riding a jet ski through Brighton Marina.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Now the third-largest party in the House of Commons, the Lib Dems are positioning themselves as a \u201cconstructive opposition\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But this conference is also about carving out dividing lines with Labour, which won a huge majority in the general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">At a fringe event, the new MP for Cheadle, Tom Morrison, said \u201cempowering communities\u201d and pushing for reform of social care were ways the party could distinguish itself from Labour.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Another newly elected Lib Dem MP, Paul Kohler, said his party needed to \u201cchallenge the authoritarian side of Labour\u201d and propose progressive solutions to problems, such as the overcrowding crisis in prisons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But they all agreed the Conservatives were still their main opponents in most election battlegrounds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"ssrcss-1b5y2ub-ComponentWrapper-FullWidthWrapper ey0461q0\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-1vfya96-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-8wm5ha-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><span><\/p>\n<div><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ed Davey on a jet ski\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/MuuWEo.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/95cb\/live\/eeeb9230-72a9-11ef-b159-eda0716bb359.jpg 976w\" width=\"490\" height=\"275\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tvuve5-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Getty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a speech on day one of the conference, chief whip Wendy Chamberlain claimed the Liberal Democrats were \u201cthe party of the NHS and care\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The MP said the Lib Dems will use their boosted numbers in Parliament to call for urgent improvement to NHS services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lib Dems put the NHS and social care at the heart of its election manifesto.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">When asked how they would pay for their policies, the party said the extra \u00a31.1bn of capital investment would come from borrowing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The additional \u00a33.7bn a year on day-to-day spending would be raised through closing loopholes in capital gains tax, the party said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Lib Dems claim only 0.1% of the population would see a tax rise under their plans to fund this spending top-up.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"links-block\" class=\"ssrcss-12l5xzx-LinksComponentWrapper e3eyuya0\">\n<section class=\"ssrcss-msolhr-LinksWrapper e3eyuya5\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-mh3hvv-InContentLinksGrid e3eyuya3\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Smiling Lib Dems plan to make the most of election success<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">6 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-r2yl4r-PromoItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-s1qr4x-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1enzf19-PromoCompact e18gnqux0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1d68cot-PromoContent exn3ah99\">\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1sen9vx-PromoHeadline exn3ah96\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Brexit truce as pro-EU Lib Dems focus on long game<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-1f3bvyz-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-1ik71mx-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-13nu8ri-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-30fcoe-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1if1g9v-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">2 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In her speech, Chamberlain was critical of the Conservatives, who the Lib Dems took most of their seats from in the general election.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But she also lambasted the SNP, who she accused of taking voters in Scotland for granted and using its platform in Parliament to \u201cgrandstand\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">\u201cThe SNP has pursued a decade of division and the people of Scotland have paid the price,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She said the Lib Dems have a chance to \u201ckick the SNP out of power\u201d at the next set of elections to the Scottish Parliament in 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On Sunday, the Lib Dems will turn their focus to education.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson will give a speech calling for an expansion of free school meals to all children in poverty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The conference will continue in Brighton until Tuesday, when Sir Ed will make a speech to the party faithful.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Sat, 14 Sep 2024 16:32:35 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lib Dem leader: Invest in NHS or accept decline PA Joshua Nevett Political reporter, in Brighton @JoshuaNevett 1 hour ago Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey is urging the Labour government to \u201cinvest more in the NHS or accept continued decline\u201d. Sir Ed is calling for a \u201cbudget for the NHS\u201d in October, with more investment&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/lib-dem-leader-invest-in-nhs-or-accept-decline\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Lib Dem leader: Invest in NHS or accept decline<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2494,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-politics","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2495","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2495"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2495\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}