John Moore an ineffective Health Secretary inclined to privatisation
John Moore an ineffective Health Secretary inclined to privatisation

The morning working on my history project, supervising work on our gardens and then this afternoon collecting a very unwell Ivy Bunnage and taking her to Vera Ruff’s house to talk about Little Paxton history. Tory health Secretary Moore refuses to consider more funding for the NHS or even an enquiry into NHS funding whilst the Chancellor is looking to make tax cuts and refuse more spending.

Slept well enough for a change and was in the bathroom just about to shower when I was called to breakfast 5 minutes early. It was the nearest to being ready for a week! Ate my wheat flakes, finished getting ready and then went to my office to read the paper and review the mail. A few small cheques to pay in and a bank statement. Di went off to St Neots to do the chores and I worked at my history, comparing the notes from the most recent transcript with others and starting to make notes for each house in the village. Before coffee, I also popped out to see Pete and put him right on a few things to do in the garden. Worked on until 12.30 when I went into the kitchen, put on the TV news, and made myself a salad lunch.

The SDP/Liberal merger topped the bill, as certain followers of David Owen complained about Robert Maclennan’s late night flying visit. They were hoping that RM was coming to discuss his reservations about the merger, but resented his coming under a glare of publicity to try to convert Dr Owen back into a merger stance. After lunch, I went off to collect Mrs Ivy Bunnage and took her on to her sisters, Mrs Vera Ruff, for the latest L P History interview. I had got the photograph copies for them and they some more for me. We also went through as many as we could, identifying the people therein, which was quite a trial. Poor Ivy has had bronchitis, angina and now suffers with gout in her leg. In truth, she is far too overweight and ought to reduce steadily, but it is not my place to tell her. I fear she will not last too long. Did not stay above a couple of hours and Mrs Ruff lent me a photo of old John Ramply and the commemorative wall plaque from the old school, which is being renovated. Home in time for tea and just put the food out for my hungry doves and put the ducks away in their fresh straw, before the food was ready. This evening I worked a little longer on my history, continuing the job and trying to sort out occupation of the Hall Cottages in the first part of this century. I heard from the Irthlingborough garage tonight, who would accept £37K for the Rolls, or wanted £40K with the work done, but would not do both for the lower figure. Main news story tonight is of Health Secretary Moore resisting any more spending on the Health Service, or even conducting an enquiry into NHS financing, despite a torrent of pressure in the House of Commons. The knives are out for him on both sides of the House. It now seems that the Chancellor is set to engineer a giveaway budget and ignore calls for more NHS spending.