“Red wall” billboards demand MPs vote against 'toxic' NHS privatisation bill, as Tories urged to side with patients not privateers

Unite members will be targeting MPs in 'red wall' seats as part of a series of actions across England during the union’s month of action on the NHS, which runs throughout February.

From Monday (14 February) billboards, ad vans and bus stops will carry direct messages to voters in constituencies [see locations below] where their Tory MP voted for the Bill last year. Red wall seats have some of the longest NHS waiting times and unmet health needs, according to recent research.

The advert campaign is a result of Unite joining forces with Your NHS Needs You and Diem 25 to highlight the impact the Health and Care Bill will have on our NHS.

The advert messages carry a picture of each MP and state: ‘Last year, your MP [name] voted for NHS privatisation. This year, tell [him/her] to vote against the toxic Health and Care Bill.’

Unite members living in the constituency will receive an email asking them to contact their MP. Members also plan to hold street stalls in the same and further constituencies as part of the NHS day of action on 26 February.

The union believes the Health and Care Bill will be a disaster for healthcare services, resulting in further privatisation and cuts and reduced patient access to treatments.

 Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 

"While our members and their families in England are being told to expect NHS waiting lists to rise for years to come, the government's priority is to pave the way for further disastrous privatisation. Every time private companies run NHS services they put profits before patients who pay the price. 

“So, these Tory MPs ought to put their constituents before their private sector mates and vote to junk the Bill. Of course, it is unlikely they will, and Unite will have to continue to fight these big corporate money moves step by step inside the NHS.”

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For more information, please contact Unite senior strategic communications officer Jennie Walsh on 07958 514695. Unite press office is on 020 3371 2065.

Notes to editors

Unite has been leading the fight for our NHS to protect our members and society and to defeat the Health and Care Bill. 

The Bill is due to be debated again by in the House of Lords on 28 February.

More information on the Your NHS Needs You campaign www.yournhsneedsyou.com 

The YNNY campaign has enlisted the help of celebrities from Stephen Fry, David Tennant, Vicky McClure and many more.

A full list of Unite/Your NHS Needs You advert locations is below. The ad design can be viewed here (see Billboard adverts section) : https://www.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/oppose-the-health-and-care-bill-join-the-nhs-day-of-action-on-26-february/

Unite will also be participating in a national day of action to save our NHS on 26 February where, to date, we have confirmed over 60 local actions.

More info can be found here: https://www.unitetheunion.org/campaigns/oppose-the-health-and-care-bill-join-the-nhs-day-of-action-on-26-february/