We have a Labour government refusing doctors’ pay rise, causing strikes in the NHS. A Labour govt that cut aid to starving Palestinians who it is selling weaponry to Israel to kill. A Labour govt that week-in, week-out, accuses foreigners of destroying our country, to justify it all. #r4today
Do you feel this is the time for the doctors to get their salaries up to 2008 levels? I agree about aid, but don’t you think Israel will ignore anything the UK does in isolation? The latest 28 country statement (hopefully followed up by action) has taken too long. But is much more likely to work.
Oh dear
It is now beyond any argument that I will support this party at all. And furthermore there’s Reeves seeking to overturn a Supreme Court ruling protecting people who were misled about loans for cars. It is now evident we have a rw Tory govt and were misled about a lab govt. Can we get compensation?
Nonsense
A Labour government that negotiated a payrise with the Drs when it came to power. Something the Conservatives refused to do. The Drs are back talking about historical pay rises not being enough. They already tried that one, they got an increase. They're taking the piss doing it again. #r4today
That would explain the shortage of doctors. smh
They agreed a settlement over historical pay rises and a year later have decided they didn't get enough. At what point do you think we should say no?
When we have a functioning NHS? Tax the rich.
I don't think a functioning NHS relies solely on Drs pay. Agreed. But that's a different issue.
Not solely. There is a significant nursing shortage, too. If you can't attract the staff...
It really isn’t.
You are the one taking the piss. You presumably rely on those doctors just as much as the rest of us do. Why should they be paid so little? You know more & more of them are leaving the profession or moving overseas to work where they are fairly paid & valued? Meanwhile the super rich are laughing.
If they didn't like the settlement/increase they got last time, they shouldn't have agreed it. Coming back asking for more, for the same reasons, a year later isn't on. This looks like they negotiated in bad faith. I love the NHS, for all sorts of reasons. I wish it was funded properly.
You realise you can't just add "I love the NHS" on the back of slagging off doctors we all rely on? It just makes you look like even more of a prick.
🙄 You can't, out of nowhere, call me a prick and expect me not to think the same if you. As I've said, having agreed a settlement, the Drs are back using the same argument for another pay rise. If they didn't like the pay settlement last time, they shouldn't have agreed it.
It’s perfectly valid to believe two things simultaneously. The first is that doctors were shafted shamefully by the previous govt. The second is that striking immediately after an agreed 22% pay rise over two years will get much lower support from the public
Who gives a fuck about public support, it’s not a popularity contest
Completely agree with you, but do you think Labour at least was *better* than the Tories in this regard?
During most of the years that #JuniorDoctors got a below inflation pay rise when the Tories were in charge, they did not strike. Now #Starmer is in charge, they strike even though they have an above inflation pay rise greater than any in the #NHS… #R4Today
Incredibly bad faith that resident doctors are calling strikes after Labour gave them a very large pay rise last year. They received the largest rise in the public sector. They are also receiving an above inflation rise this year, and are still striking. They don’t have my support this time
Absolutely ridiculous that people are trying to present Labour as treating resident doctors unfairly. They received a 28.9% pay rise over the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row.
Resident doctors have been awarded a 5.4% pay rise this year. This is above inflation. So they are getting exactly what they asking for e.g. gradual restoration of pay. And yet, they’re still striking.
Ok, lets say you're right and they did get that sort of pay rise split over that time period (aka 9.63%py), does the fact they're still on strike not demonstrate just how garbage their pay & working conditions have become? Besides what you going to do about it, no doctors means no NHS.
“Let’s just say you’re right” So you don’t know what the facts are? “What are you going to do about it?” Resident doctors are already getting an above inflation pay rise of 5.4% this year
And given you just changed the pay rise percentage: neither do you. And you're going to do: nothing. Absolutely nothing.
28.9% over 3 years 5.4% this year 😘
And it should, by your own numbers be: 9.63% Sounds like a very good reason to strike or would you happily eat 4% of your pay just fucking off in to the distance?
Payrise over previous 2 years: 22.2% Payrise this year: 5.4% Combined pay rise over 3 years: 28.9% Average pay rise: 8.8% (not 9.6% payrises are compound, not simple, increases) Maybe stop commenting if you can’t do basic maths
So about this time, 5 years ago, I take it you weren't busy banging pans together then? Good for you, me on the other hand: don't really care beyond "fuck it, pay them whatever." pandemics happen and the medical people walk the walk. They want more? I'm good with it.
That just shows how bad the rest of the public sector were treated, not how generous the doctors raise was.
No it doesn’t. They received a 28.9% pay-rise over 3 years. You can claim that wasn’t generous if you want to
Which is still approx 20% where the wages were in 2008. Has the cost of living gone down 20%? www.bma.org.uk/bma-media-ce...
Real wages fell from 2008 due to Tory austerity policies. Resident doctors wages are significantly higher than when Labour took power e.g. July 2024 They’re getting an above inflation 5.4% rise this year so real wages are continuing to be restored.
Being bet the r then they were doesn’t mean the doctors don’t have a right to push for what they’re owed
The BMA have asked for gradual restoration of real pay. Resident doctors are receiving gradual restoration of real pay. They are still striking. It’s a really bad look and won’t be backed by the public
Oh well if the papers think it’s bad it must be, can’t have something the public might not want.
Again. The BMA are asking for gradual restoration of pay. Resident doctors are receiving an above inflation 5.4% pay rise this year. They are getting what they asked for, yet they are still striking
Mate, couldn’t give a shit. I support the doctors and hope they get everything they’re owed. The rest of the NHS and public sector should do the same thing to get what they’re owed.
Any comparison that uses RPI can be ignored. The valid figures can be found here:
Red Tories
Well don’t tune in to Nick Ferrari, it’s full on “dirty brown asylum seekers are assaulting our women”
@nickferrarilbc.bsky.social is a blow up version of his best mate Farrage
I'm certainly no fan of current Labour leadership, but they haven't refused doctors a pay rise. They've offered them a good pay rise well ahead of inflation.
The majority of resident doctors didn't vote to go on strike. (55% turnout, of which 90% voted yes. Plus 20% aren't even in BMA!) Should have kept talking - a lot of grievances on conditions, rotas, exam fees, student loans etc etc. Wasn't all about pay for many. (Daughter is a doctor)
I know about doctors pay only and it's performative. There was no new money for the last pay rise. NHS had to find it themselves within existing budgets. This happens more often than not. Streeting just wants to look tough. God knows why BMA plays along, they need to change the narrative.
We have a “Labour” government cutting international aid disproportionately to woman and children in some of the world's most marginalised communities... so they can spend the money on defence. (www.theguardian.com/global-devel...)
Didn’t the doctors get a pay rise last year?
anticapitalistmusings.com/2025/07/the-...
I simply see no meaningful moral difference whatsoever between this Labour government & the Tory shitshow that came before them. #r4today
What's it going to take before Starmer tries some socialist policymaking?
THERE is no difference. Two teams take turns at power, knowing their duopoly cannot be challenged. That is why electoral reform is so important. www.jandehn.com/post/a-very-...
The renters rights Bill and taking rail into public ownership aren't things that Tories would do but I agree there's not much difference.
There are more examples for Zoe's point than against it, unfortunately. All the more inexplicable because the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social election mandate was clearly, not to do all of this. For example. bsky.app/profile/prem...
And this. J F C. 🤦🏻♂️ bsky.app/profile/geor...
The current so called democratic system of representation is broken so called politicians no longer have meaningful life experience instead they focus so intently on politics that all they can see is how to win a debate without being able to see the effects as a whole time for change #revolution
Labour person on Today calling for mandatory ID cards. It sounded Tory from a couple of years age with a nod at reform with added scapegoating of asylum seekers. There are Tories objecting to genocide as Labour support it. Me and Kit Malthouse that’s odd.
Oh that's ALL Blair.
I think it’s moved further right than that.
ID cards are all Blair. Of course Labour is further right than it was 25+ years ago. I'm talking about ID cards.
I think the difference is TB didn’t do them I think KS will.
Tony Blair has made it his life's work, George.
But we don’t have then yet. If the suggestion is that TB is behind this latest move I wouldn’t be surprised.
Mandelson and pals are important "advisors" behind the Starmer lot
Agreed.
And right on cue: bsky.app/profile/zack...
Unfollowing, you must have spammed this 20 times by now...
bsky.app/profile/dann... There are no easy answers. Just people who tell you there are.
Indeed, populists on all sides
No one said it was simple. We say it is necessary. Get it straight.
What is necessary?
I like it.
Pandering to the worst of us: is that moral bankruptcy or intellectual dishonesty or both?
Agreed, but sadly this was obvious before the last GE. This is where voting for the 'least worst' option got us. 46 years of unbroken Thatcherism, that persistently fails us, with none of the big parties offering anything different. We need a new electoral system.
14 years of Torie under investment. Torie chaos and corruption. Torie lies. 14 years and a country left in economic disaster. What did you expect after 1yr? I expected someone to grab hold of the rudder, stablise the ship, and put us on a mature course? Then Trump blows up the world in 6 mths.
👏👏👏 Well said, Zoe.
I work in the #NHS and have an above inflation pay rise. However the #JuniorDoctors have a pay rise that is greater than any other sector of the NHS. You can support the entitled snowflakes in their demand. I don’t. #R4Today
“Entitled snowflakes”? Kindness and empathy not distinguishing characteristics of healthcare workers, then?
bsky.app/profile/news...
An above inflation pay rise is one that is moving to pay restoration for #ResidentDoctors. There will only be one victor here, that being Nigel Farage in his quest to destroy the #NHS. youtu.be/3R7WFIHYn2Y
It's soooo difficult for some red zealots to view government objectively and demand better. That's why we have this polarised, cyclical political system that only serves the tax-dodging media barons and the ultra rich.
The doctors aside, yes agree. They are being a little mischievous...
Nah fuck off give the doctors what they need. We al rely on them.
They received a 28.9% pay rise over 3 years and have received the highest pay rise in the public sector 2 years in a row.
We rely on lots of health service professionals. Some with lower public profiles that are less well understood (but still essential) are seeing their salaries cut through privatisation still. 20% in 15 months, having been largely frozen for 15 years. How are families supposed to survive that?
Also true. But ive worked int he NHS and there are so many competing demands for £... everyone and everything there is struggling.
There are health service professionals who are still having their salaries cut. With payment protection for 15 months before seeing it reduced by 20%, having been mostly frozen for 15 years Of course doctors should have more. So should they. The whole system is messed up, and needs radical reform.
Many of the financial decisions are down to the dire state of the county's finances, where the Tories raised national debt to over £3 trillion. (from £800bn). Sorry to break the news, clearly you don't seem to understand a new government doesn't start with a clean slate.. whathaskeirdone.co.uk
Then you have a VERY short memory, or have been brainwashed by the media, who of course have always been pro Tory, or worse, just clickbait and flip flop between the 2. Sorry to the bearer of bad news, in the UK, you don't vote for your perfect party. You vote for the least worst option.
this isn’t the compassionate, progressive Labour we were promised. Attacking migrants, cutting aid, and refusing fair pay for doctors isn’t leadership, it’s betrayal. We deserve so much better. #r4today
Referring to the government as Labour in anything but name is misrepresentation, played out to the thrum of Tony Benn et al spinning in their graves.
When you say "et al", who do you mean apart from Benn?
Are you suggesting he might have been the only Labour MP with actual socialist leanings...?
Maybe. But I’m certainly suggesting he might have been the only one you agreed with.
Haha, you may not be entirely wrong!
Why are we supposedly skint? I could pick many examples of state capture. How about this for starters:
Oof. I'd hate to see HS2
Small beer. We've just heard about the £85 billion that has been stolen by the water companies. Apply such numbers to just about every government activity. Then there's QE. Failed state.
I am disappointed with the government on many levels but the Dr’s are out of order this time and the strikes are wholly on them and when the appointments I am still waiting for get delayed again , it’s them I will hold responsible.
People can't just ask for a pay rise and promptly get it. I follow you carefully on immigration and you have some careful sensible points but this is crackers
And a labour government who refuses covid vaccines to only a very small few while refusing to clean the air inside, the clean air they have in parliament! The WHO proves it is airborne. Then they blame people from becoming ill from repeat infections!!
Our countries are ruled by incompetent people with who roll out a politics of starvation, Gaza first
And cutting development aid to the poorest in Africa... share.google/ATDg6ltvlx5g...
A Labour gov that cut £2 billion in support to the disabled under Universal Credit changes A Labour gov that has kept the two child benefit cap keeping over a million children in poverty A Labour government that bans one organisation while allowing a populist politician to stoke division and riots
Labour government in name only, continuing with the Tories cruelty. The PM has been listening to his crap advisors, and not the people that voted for them last summer.
But the Tories didn’t do anything but cut, that’s why the UK is a mess in every area. Is that what is happening?
"WHAT DO WE WANT" "CHANGE" "WHEN DO WE WANT IT" "YESTERDAY" "WHO'S GONNA PAY" "NOT US"
Not really Labour are they or is there such a thing? Labourite might be more appropriate. Politics needs a total shift in the UK. We need to move away from the party model. The election cycle is pitiable. Some sort of citizens’ assembly model supported by reliable information & data.
Or LabouRight.
I don’t mean a populist approach either. We need humanity, tolerance, fairness & understanding.
Here are some things that Labour could have done instead of cutting the money that disabled people need to live. northeastbylines.co.uk/business/fiv...
I’d normally be 💯 in support of you here, and regarding Gaza & rhetoric on immigrants I do. But one of the 1st things Labour did was give doctors their raise. It’s unrealistic of BMA to expect a full return to 2008 wages inside of 12 months. A wealth tax could help this, fingers crossed they do it
No, it isn't. If the government can find tens of billions for weapons, they can pay medics properly.
If it’s unrealistic to pay doctors decently then our country is damned.
Again, I 💯 agree on this, it’s absolutely an indictment of the country that it would take consecutive >20% increases to do this.
it's not a real terms wage. also: the first thing they did was strip trans kids of their healthcare and replace it with conversion 'therapy'. that was the literal #1 on their list of priorities.
'real terms wage increase'*
The UK is richer than it was in 2008, but wealth is far more unevenly distributed, and wages are lower. We absolutely need unions to keep pay restoration on the table and force the government to confront wealth inequality.
💯
They got a barebones raise that didn’t come close to correcting the years of effective pay cuts they’ve had, it’s not up to the BMA to do the government’s work for them and if they can find money to throw at Ukraine and a decrepit steel industry, they can find it for doctors
Indeed, I agree about that and it’s a complete indictment of the last 14yrs of so-called governance. When you hear doctors talking about covering a 12hr ICU shift for £18-19ph it makes me sick.
Blaming other governments is a cop out. You're taking the tried and true Tory trick of acting as if a government with a massive majority is actually some powerless protest movement.
stop blaming previous governments. labour could actually fix this problem very easily. they are actively choosing not too.
The BMA are blaming the previous governments, hence them wanting parity with their 2008 pay. I’ve already suggested the Wealth Tax could support this, so I’m not entirely sure what your argument is?
The fact the current government have continued conditions where doctors need to go on strike, is a failure of so called governance. They don't get to hide behind the previous administration when they have a super majority and all the levers of power.
They gave the doctors a massive (well deserved )pay rise last year. Expectations have to meet realism at some point. Do agree with most of the other points though.
Also a Labour govt that's introduced a trans specific S28, banned trans young people's healthcare & is on the verge of introducing a national trans toilet/changing room/hospital ward ban.
A labour government that endorsed the torture and abuse of LGBTQ+ but banned puberty blockers for trans kids and teens but not cisgender Has now continued a transphobic version of section 28 the Tories started
What are our options Zoe? I fear a knee jerk reaction to an extremist platform. Right (as per the MSM sponsored Reform) or a “scary” left. Where’s my Lib Dem/ Green alliance? Can that work thru this FPTP system?
The lib dens can drown, they’re just as complicit in how we got here
Absolutely, they are even though they want it forgotten now.
Harsh, as Labour have done plenty of good stuff, which goes unreported, yet stubbornly stick with these hugely unpopular policies that will see them out of government in four years unless they sort themselves out. The Labour Party Conference will be interesting now the celebrations have died down...
This appears to assume that doctors should always get whatever pay rise the BMA asks for, without conditions and regardless of the circumstances; and that any doctor's strike over pay must be the government's fault alone. You don't really think that, do you?
Yep. Warmongering, piling on to those who are in any way visibly "different", undermining health care and social provision - instead of working to improve it all. Which would make the country and the world a better place, at ease with itself and each other.