My pal put it really well...thanks Beryl!

"Alan does not take any interest in issues that don't affect his constituents but does VOTE on them eg the government commissioned a risk assessment on the proposed changes to the NHS, Alan voted with them NOT to publish this before votes on the changes. A highly significantly unhelpful vote which denied decision-makers crucial information on an issue which he's supposed to keep out of.

I understand that the Labour Party does not contribute to discussion of specifically Scottish affairs...but neither does it vote on those issues. Talk about power without responsibility Mr Reid.

The sloppy thinking of the Libdems is really really dismaying."

Surely there is some restriction on this kind of behaviour....isn't there? Al Reid seems to think it's OK but he's a pompous arrogant LibDem MP with an eye on his future prospects....regardless of the constituents he represents. Not seen him in Islay since the Islay Show last August when celebrations are the norm!

To Alan Reid MP ....14.06.13

Dear Mr Reid,

I must thank you for all your replies to mine and Beryl's letters. Strange how the thought of publication galvanises....

The quote below is gobsmacking!

Al Reid...12 June 2013

"Regarding the English NHS I strongly hold the view that this is a matter for the people of England and their elected representatives and that we Scots should not be interfering in their decision making. That is why I have not devoted much time to that subject, concentrating instead on those issues which do affect my constituents."

You seem to be of the opinion that although you are paid, particularly generously in my opinion, to represent your constituents in Westminster, you feel able to pick and chose in which areas you want to be involved and can justify ignoring the rest. It's comfortable I'm sure, but not acceptable.

I think Beryl has taken you to task in this area too.

 Nice work if you can get it Mr Reid!

I previously suspected that you never read any of the information I sent you regarding my concerns about the NHS in England or the knock-on effects I expect in Scotland: and now I am convinced I was correct! 

Perhaps Independence from England isn't such a bad idea after all. We would conceiveably be more honestly represented by all our parliamentarians.

Your comments about previous governments using private healthcare services is perfectly valid. 

I disagreed with this in the past, so my position hasn't altered. Having worked in the NHS in both England and Scotland for about 40 years, I find it absolutely immoral to allow personal and corporate profit to be made from sickness and disablement. In a Utopian world this would not be possible but we have to live with what we have now. We have a moral duty to strive to improve life for patients now and in the future. Allowing privateers to make huge profits from taxes paid by UK residents, to provide "free" healthcare for all, cannot be condoned. You say that services are still "free" for patients but that is not true. In some areas, some services which were previously provided "free" have now been removed from NHS lists and patients have to "go private". Varicose vein and cataract surgery have been quoted to me but you must have access to much more information than I, and will be able to verify these reports.

Retorts quoting lack of adequate government funds to provide comprehensive healthcare will not wash. Your obfuscations about the £3billion are ridiculous. This money should have been borrowed, as originally promised, and used to fund healthcare services. A penny or two on working peoples'  tax is a drop in the ocean. Had this been presented as (reliable) hypothecation to be spent entirely on healthcare, it would have been accepted by the residents of the UK. It is perfectly obvious that the decimation of the NHS is an ideological plan by greedy Tories, which you LibDems should be ashamed of facilitating! In my naïveté I could not at first accept this....but there is no alternative explanation.

Beryl and I are spending unprecedented numbers of hours, voluntarily, attempting to support a local, comprehensive healthcare review in Islay, about which you may or may not be aware. Our commitment to a better future for patients here goes without saying. I hope you will revise your opinion and take some interest in what is happening to patients in your constituency. I assure you that Alex Neil MSP and Michael Russell MSP are involved. 

Yours sincerely,

Patricia Farrington.

Letter from MP Alan Reid LibDem re £3bill NHS Clawback

Dear Ms Farrington

I assume that the £3 billion you are referring to is the underspend in the English NHS Budget over two years. This £3 billion never existed. If the English Department of Health had spent this money the Government would have had to borrow it, but since they didn’t spend it, the Government didn’t borrow it, saving the taxpayer interest payments.

There were several reasons for this underspend, including employing less administrators than planned and savings being made on major computer projects. It has been normal practice during successive Governments for departments to have unspent allocations at the end of financial years.

Yours sincerely

Alan Reid

This came today June 11th 2013 after many months of waiting. Could it have had anything to do with the fact that my friend had sent a joint letter to the Campbeltown Courier telling of the fact that this MP wouldn't answer awkward questions about the NHS & other stuff he finds difficult? Could it be that Tim Farron, who couldn't tell him he has to answer or Alastair Carmichael his Chief Whip who could tell him, had run out of excuses and made it all up on the hoof?

I informed Alan Reid of my utter contempt and that I think he & his pals in government must have classes in obfuscation. This cash could have saved jobs, shortened waiting times in A&E departments and been ethically sound.