[Atlantis]

This is excellent news! If comrade Corbyn isn't comatose already, this could get him into No. 10 in less than 2 years.

Theresa May refuses to rule out selling off the NHS in post-Brexit trade deal with Trump

- Theresa May sidesteps a question on whether the NHS will be part of any post-Brexit trade deal with Donald Trump.

- The prime minister says it is too early to say what the US will ask for in negotiations.

- Labour accuses the government of secretly plotting to privatise the health service.
The row comes within days of Trump's public criticism of universal healthcare in the UK.

LONDON — Theresa May has been accused of secretly plotting to sell off the NHS after declining a request to rule out making the NHS part of any future post-Brexit trade deal with the US.

The prime minister was asked by Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable in the House of Commons to give an "absolute guarantee" that the NHS "will not be for sale" when the UK government begins negotiations with the Donald Trump administration.

However, May declined the opportunity, saying the UK did not yet know what "requirements" the US would make as part of any deal.

"We are starting the discussions with the American administration," May replied.

"He doesn't know what they are going to say in their requirements for that free trade agreements. We will go into those negotiations to get the best possible deal for the United Kingdom."

Watch May sidestep a question on selling off the NHS

Asked by Business Insider to clarify the prime minister's comments, a spokesperson for May said that discussions about the detail of any trade deal had not yet begun.

"We are at the outset of those discussions and her comments reflect that fact," the spokesperson said, adding that "the point is we are not into the detail of those discussions. We are very much at the outset of them."

Labour said May's comments were a matter of "great concern" and accused the government of secretly seeking to privatise the health service.

"Any attempt to push Britain into a race to the bottom in standards and regulation is completely unacceptable and obviously a faction in the conservative party leadership wants that," a spokesperson for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said.

"It is a matter of great concern. The British people do not want the cherry-picking or privatisation of the NHS."

The row comes within days of the US president criticising the NHS. Trump tweeted a claim that large numbers of British people had taken to the streets in protest against Britain's universal healthcare system.

The health secretary Jeremy Hunt publicly dismissed the comments. However, May has yet to comment on them and did not raise the matter when the two leaders spoke on Tuesday evening.

"The row comes within days of the US president criticising the NHS. Trump tweeted a claim that large numbers of British people had taken to the streets in protest against Britain's universal healthcare system."

Impressive! Where did Trump get that news from?

[Blook]

This is a clear view of what Theresa May does in general. Every time a question that could show her for what she is is asked, she dances around it and basically weasels out of the question. It is no wonder her own party is in anarchy as she hasn't even the backbone to stand by her own corrupt ideas firmly. She is ruining this country and is going to sell off our NHS to that walking orange toupee. I despise Theresa May and I just cannot get over how painfully clear she makes it that her intentions are not for us, the people of Britain, but for her and her business-type friends. Despicable.

[B0ycey]

The NHS doesn't need to be in trouble if it actually paid a fair price for drugs and supplies. A sell off would only enhance the cost of these so this would solve nothing. Perhaps Trumps tweets needs to address America's health crisis than the UK's. Despite the NHS's problems, it's in a fine state when compared to the US's health insurance shitfest.

Nonetheless, any government who sells off the NHS has resigned their party to the dustbin of history. They will never get elected again.

On the plus side, if May is indeed truly mad as she appears to be and does indeed sell off the NHS to the Orange ape, Corbyn would just nationalise it back anyway.

[Nonsense]

The NHS doesn't need to be in trouble if it actually paid a fair price for drugs and supplies. A sell off would only enhance the cost of these so this would solve nothing. Perhaps Trumps tweets needs to address America's health crisis than the UK's. Despite the NHS's problems, it's in a fine state when compared to the US's health insurance shitfest.

Nonetheless, any government who sells off the NHS has resigned their party to the dustbin of history. They will never get elected again.

On the plus side, if May is indeed truly mad as she appears to be and does indeed sell off the NHS to the Orange ape, Corbyn would just nationalise it back anyway.

The Tories are having their last gasp in power,come the next election & they are to become the political 'Dodo' party of the century.

Unfortunately, I personally do not trust CORBYN, for a starters, there are too many 'BLAIRITES' accommodated in his team & 'Clause Four' or a replacement clause has not been reinstated into the Party's Constitution.

The latter of which should prohibit 're-nationalising' utilities et'c that had hitherto been privatised.

[skinster]

Yeah Corbyn and co will reverse all this bullshit whenever the Tories announce the next election.

I heard there is a massive NHS march in London in June planned. I'm going to try to make it.

[Atlantis]

Unfortunately, I personally do not trust CORBYN, for a starters, there are too many 'BLAIRITES' accommodated in his team & 'Clause Four' or a replacement clause has not been reinstated into the Party's Constitution.

The latter of which should prohibit 're-nationalising' utilities et'c that had hitherto been privatised.

If Blair hadn't gone into Iraq, he would be remembered as one of the country's best PMs. Anyways, to evoke the Iraq war as reason for opposing moderate Labour isn't helpful.

Even if a degree of privatization (telecoms, etc.) and deregulation can have a positive effect on an economy, that doesn't necessarily mean that all-out privatization and deregulation must be good. Clearly, privatization in the UK has gone too far. The Carillion disaster speaks a clear language. It's time for a shift in strategy.

Privatization of the NHS under pressure from Trump would be a total disaster.

[Albert]

Conservatives need new leadership fast or otherwise they are going to lose their majourity in government. Even that clown Boris would have been better than May.

[B0ycey]

Conservatives need new leadership fast or otherwise they are going to lose their majourity in government. Even that clown Boris would have been better than May.

Eh? The Conservatives have lost their majority. That is why they are in bed with the DUP!

Conservatives are losing their power for their shit policies rather than their leader Albert. During the election they thought they could get away with taxing pensioners and things haven't improved since.

Mind you, who can replace May that would be any good anyway? Boris is a clown and the rest are his jesters. When you only have Muppets in your ranks, you will only have a Muppet leader.

But to be frank the UK is a total mess today, and the NHS proves it. All it would take is one government to set out the costs it would pay for drugs and suppies and force UK drug companies/suppiers to charge those costs. When you are charged £4 for a packet of paracetamol that you can get for 19p from your local supermarket there is a problem. This isn't rocket science. It is good judgement. And a good government can fix this problem overnight. privatisation would make the NHS a business. There should be no profit in health. It should be a right. And perhaps the UK should remember this. Because the public will.

Nonetheless, I am beginning to give up on the UK. It is a small country with a Napoleon complex, and now it looks at Trump for guidance. We are a joke. We are leaving the only thing that gives us any global influence and when we do, the true reality of how weak and friendless we are will finally hit home in Westminster. When this happens we may as well vote Corbyn. I don't rate the guy nor do I think he will be good for the economy. But neither is Brexit so it's going south anyway I guess. But at least with Corbyn the UK can start again. There will be many years of belt tightening and the end of corporate Britain - and we will need to get use to a life without luxuries, but if society becomes more equal, respectful and friendly and we reduce our affairs to local rather than international it could be worth it in the end.

[AFAIK]

We're taking back control!
And immediately giving it away again!

[Nonsense]

Conservatives need new leadership fast or otherwise they are going to lose their majourity in government. Even that clown Boris would have been better than May.

They ARE going to lose the next election,be in no doubt about that,no matter who their 'leader' is.

This country cannot afford another 'sheep' as it's leader, or the feeble & divisive policies which they pursue.

In FACT, a bit of 'wisdom' for the novice political observers around, it's not the PM's that matter when a party is in power, watch what they are really doing by the fiscal policies pursued by the Chancellor of the Exchequor's,that's where the true course of the party in power is leading the country, usually by dividing 'welfare reform' spoils between the rich-better off.