On the Andrew Marr show this morning Nick Clegg wheeled out one of his most-loved statistics during a discussion on inequalities in the NHS:
"In Sheffield, the city where I’m an MP if you’re a child born in the poorest ward in Sheffield you will die, today, in two thousand and eight, fourteen years before a child born five miles down the road in the wealthiest ward."
Any of us who saw him during the leadership campaign will remember this chestnut, and Nick Clegg is right to point out the level of inequality that can exist in such a small space. Richard Holloway, however, points out that in his own backyard, the local Liberal Democrat party are opposed to an initiative that promises to remedy this inequality, Closing the Gap, which would put more money into ensuring the poorer wards are properly invested in. Should he be pushing his local party to drop their opposition?
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4 responses so far ↓
1 Jo Anglezarke // Jan 20, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Well, each time he says it he’s on a different show with different viewers Gavin - not eveyone is as sad as us and watches all the political shows!!
2 Gavin Whenman // Jan 20, 2008 at 4:51 pm
A crying shame in my opinion
3 Anders // Jan 22, 2008 at 1:51 am
Looks like you need to read my recent posting then:
http://andershanson.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/sheffield-tories-claim-nick-cleggs-first-clanger/
4 Top of the Blogs: The Golden Dozen #49 | Liberal Democrat Voice // Jan 29, 2008 at 11:53 am
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