here is a big red bus and there is a big lie on it. A man with a posh accent and poorly coiffed blond hair stands in front it, He repeats the lie.
The lie is easy to repeat it’s manageable it’s believable. Many politicians will perform a similar trick. There is a formula that those gifted in
dark arts of electoral politics understand. They will promise money to the NHS; the sum will be so large most of us can’t comprehend it. They
will engage in statistical magic and tug at our heart strings. It is simple, it is cruel, and it works. Next time they try it we need stop them.
The figure of 350 million was inaccurate on all counts according to any respected
authority but that didn’t matter. It felt true to people. If you were concerned by waiting
times or funding like 45% of the public; Why wouldn’t you vote for that cash injection.
Brexit to them was not about obscure politics of trade or sovereignty but investing in
the experiences that mark often the most difficult or solemn moments in our lives as
being ill. Brexiteers tell us now that it was an exaggeration or a suggestion. It’ wasn’t.
It was a way to channel genuine emotions and weaponize them against the wrong
target. By using big numbers to con the public
Healthcare for the British public is close to religion, support for the NHS and its founding principles is a
meteoric level 90%), few countries hold this kind of reverence for any pu blic organization. Their
experiences are determined by the calming face of primary care it’s their kind family GP, it’s the funny
community midwife attending to their sisters’ birth. For most of the public they’ve built a deep emotional
connection when interacting with others at a time of great vulnerability. This kind of emotion is so easy
for the Politician to sensationalise, to take advantage of.
The Director of vote leave said they couldn’t have done it without NHS/350 million
pledge. It provided the crucial swing to produce the pro-Brexit result. The NHS a
uniquely trusted organisation was used as an instrument in a political decision which it
had little to do with.
So when Remainers said the promise was a lie, or the figure was wrong they missed
the point. As their response did not promise to those same people the hope that
pledge gave. Politicians used that figure not because it was factually accurate but it
communicated to people they cared about the NHS. Leave had a section of the public
not swayed on the grandeur of sovereignty or the capriciousness of migration issue of
but the care of their family or neighbour and country. Whilst remain gave a factual
retort, they had been tricked too.
There will be opportunity for politicians who truly care about the NHS to give honest political messages. I’m certain
the public will continue to support the founding principles regardless of the serious challenges Brexit will bring. So,
there is challenging to produce coherent political story which addresses challenges, build trust and takes the voting
public seriously. You must convince people you care and the Remain failed to do that. Other progressives can learn
from that. It is possible to repel the nasty kind of politics which performs the trick. The Public shouldn’t let
themselves be blinded by statistical sleight of hand or let people tug at their chordae tendineae. Politicians need to
impound the big red bus and begin a mature conversation about health care.
Tinaye Mapako,
3rd Year Medical
Student