red pepper issue139 march 2006

contents

features health special

Not safe in their hands 18New Labour is in the process of achieving what Thatcher didn’t dare – the demolition of the National Health Service, argues Colin Leys

If it isn’t broke... 21It will cost more, it won’t work as well and it isn’t popular. Frank Dobson wonders why the government is set on dismantling the NHS

Derbyshire goes private 22When Dr Elizabeth Barratt put together a communitybacked bid to take over a GP surgery in Derbyshire she thought she was acting out the New Labour rhetoric of ‘patient choice’ and ‘community control’. So it came as a surprise when UnitedHealth Europe was selected to run the practice. Alex Nunns reports

Stop the rot 24Campaigners, NHS staff and patients must get together with MPs to resist the transformation of the NHS. Ian Gibson MP sounds a clarion call to action

Nice work if you can get it 26Consultants are now raking in more than £2.5 billion a year from central government alone – with little accountability and no independent regulation or checks on their performance. Austin Mitchell MPand Prem Sikka call for a brake on the gravy train

Cover image by Pedro Lino

regulars 04Letters& Agony Subcommandauntie

06Activision Around the left in 30 days: UK Day in the Life: Drawing a line with Coke Natural born rebel: Milan Rai Not in our name: parliamentary democracy and war Know your enemy: Simon Stevens Guerrilla guides: Eco-friendly Spring cleaning

16World Around the left in 30 days: World Temperate Gauge: Carbon offsets pushed off course The new Hamas:Graham Usher on the sweeping victory

38Infrared David Osler

39Rear view Picture This

review

Shopping for change 32‘Political consumerism’ has been one of the growth movements of recent years. Jo Littlerlooks at its strengths and weaknesses – and considers where it mightgo next

34Book reviews Arts reviews

feature

Who will speak for us? 30There is a deepening crisis of political representation in the UK. As the main parties narrow the electoral contest to a diminishing patch of ‘centre-ground’, who will give voice to those whose views are unrepresented? Hilary Wainwright considers the political challenge facing the left

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coming soon Hail to the chief: a date with the Venezuelan army Is fair trade fair? The Liberal Democrats and the left Investigation:Terror flights in the UK on the web Water water everywhere: the global battle for public water On the road with the Zapatistas

march 2006 red pepper

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