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NHS Reforms In Context: The Most Unpopular Reforms In History

Thatcher

The Huffington Post UK   First Posted: 20/02/2012 15:19 Updated: 20/02/2012 15:48

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Andrew Lansley has suffered another day under fierce criticism over his planned NHS reforms.

The health secretary attended a health summit with medical professionals to discuss his reforms. However he was obstructed by angry protesters as he tried to enter Downing Street. He was heckled and was embarrassed as he got into an argument with the elderly Jean Hautot in front of news cameras.

Despite all the furore, we feel it is worth keeping in mind that this isn't the first controversial thing a government has ever done. Just so Lansley doesn't feel alone, we've put together a list of other moments when governments had to deal with perhaps much greater public opposition.

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Margaret Thatcher's decision to impose a "community charge" in her third term as Prime Minister provoked quite a storm of opposition among the public.

The charge, commonly known as the "poll tax", was a flat-rate local tax. Critics argued that it didn't take account of people's ability to pay and was an attack aimed at the working class.

The opposition made itself heard - with a series of disturbances and marches - that culminated in a demonstration on Saturday 31st March 1990.

The demonstration quickly turned violent as police struggled to combat protesters and stop them from rampaging.

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Andrew Lansley has suffered another day under fierce criticism over his planned NHS reforms. The health secretary attended a health summit with medical professionals to discuss his reforms. Howeve...
Andrew Lansley has suffered another day under fierce criticism over his planned NHS reforms. The health secretary attended a health summit with medical professionals to discuss his reforms. Howeve...
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MacfarlaneRobin
232 Fans
 
12:13 on 29/02/2012
Hi, only just heard about "the plot against the NHS" Some people aware from last Apl. So now we know that an unknown consortium that began in the Lab.Gov.used the NHS improvements to getting the waiting lists down as a means of introducing privatisation into the NHS. What a shameful bunch we have in Westminster. Sooner we get HofC's reform & take back Democracy to the people the better off the UK will be.
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hearthammer
If left is right and right is wrong, decide!
267 Fans
13:58 on 22/02/2012
No comparison as this reform applies to England only.
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taffy terrier
56 Fans
15:28 on 20/02/2012
Will not post a comment as you never post it
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