CNJ COMMENT - The deafening sound of a U-turn on Whittington?

Published: 5 August, 2010

THE Whittington Hospital saga appears to be entering the lower depths of politics.

Naively or not, opponents of the proposal to close the A&E department must have thought only a few weeks ago that the battle had been won.

But a great deal can happen in politics in a matter of weeks.

At first, the thousands of people in north London who had petitioned, marched and demonstrated against the closure plan were buoyant with optimism as the ramparts of their opponents both in the hierarchy of the National Health Service and government circles looked as if they had fallen.

Now, serious doubts are beginning to creep in.

The first sign that all was not well came when the Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone – once a vocal supporter of the campaign – failed to respond to emails sent by the Defend Whittington Hospital Coalition.

Before the election, Ms Featherstone couldn’t have done more to express her support.

But now, since elevated as equalities minister, she appears to be giving campaigners the cold shoulder.

Her sudden disinterest is matched by both Health Secretary Andrew Lansley as well as his shadow Andy Burnham – despite earlier promises to save the hospital.

It seems as if Mr Lansley may be playing a long game.

He has pledged sweeping reforms of the National Health Service, including the abolition of such tiers as the Primary Care Trusts and other similar bodies.

But campaigners fear – perhaps justifiably – that he will allow them to down-size the health service before he winds them up.

If this fear is baseless, why can Mr Lansley not make an immediate statement renewing his pre-election promise on the Whittington Hospital.

His silence is telling.

On yer bike, hack!

IT’S not often we find ourselves agreeing with Brian Coleman – or that the Conservative London Assembly member agrees with us.

But hasn’t Mr Coleman got a point when he talks of his irritation over the “VIP” traffic lanes that are coming to Camden for the Olympics?

Can it be right that two lanes of traffic in the Euston Road will be blocked off to the public – with all the associated disruption to the public transport system – just so sports reporters can safely reach Stratford from their plush hotels in Bloomsbury?

Can’t they brave the Boris Bikes like the rest of us?