Fishburn Hedges

13.09.2011

And that’s a wrap. After a controversial beginning, a long pause, and an even more contentious conclusion the Health and Social Care Bill has finally ended its journey in the Commons.

It was a week in which Nadine Dorries accused Evan Harris of blackmailing the government, the Lib Dems had another wobble and John Healey looked slightly bemused by it all on the Labour benches.

We’re all aware of the statistics both sides of the House have grown fond of quoting – the Bill is three times longer than the act which created the NHS, it went through the longest Committee stage of any Bill in years and – and, well, let’s face it even the most hardcore policy nerds amongst us may be growing a little weary of it all.

But, despair not, a few weeks respite should do the trick.

Party conference season looms and it looks likely that the pesky Bill may cause Nick Clegg a headache or two in Birmingham. Last week’s vote saw figures like John Pugh, Charles Kennedy and Tim Farron abstain. Okay, let’s give them the benefit of the doubt, they may just have been unable to make it, but Farron’s intervention on Sky News earlier that morning – in which he called for significant changes in the Lords - suggests otherwise.

Couple this with Dr. Evan Harris lobbying for an emergency motion at conference and Baroness Williams deciding it was time for party royalty to intervene in the debate and we have the makings of an interesting few weeks ahead.

Nick Clegg may have thought he had dealt with his party’s concerns through the listening exercise but it increasingly looks like the Other Place will prove a source of fresh trouble for the coalition.

Figures like Baroness Williams form a rallying point for the Lib Dem massive and even the party leader will struggle to contain the woman who dared to abolish grammar schools. Her recent article in the Observer in which she declared the battle was “far from over” will have resonated with many members keen to assert a Lib Dem stamp on Andrew Lansley’s plans.

Yes health fans, we have some exciting times to look forward to in the Lords – far more interesting and less complicated than discussing the reality of how on earth to implement all these proposed changes.

Of course the government will achieve Royal Assent, unless some major catastrophe befalls them, or perhaps another anti-Lansley rap emerges. Nonetheless it will be fun to witness the old Guard enjoying one more moment in the Sun as they debate the Bill’s contents.

Freddie Howe vs Shirley Williams – how can you resist? 

It seems that Tory MP Nicky Morgan was right last week when she described it as “the Bill that keeps on giving”…