A lot has changed since the creation of the National Health Service in 1948. But our collective consciousness remains stuck … Continue reading “The NHS is not the saintly institution of the popular imagination”

We are undoubtedly living in a time of great crisis. You have to be of an exceptionally optimistic disposition to … Continue reading “Ten steps which should change the British economy”

On Sunday evening, Twitter exploded with rage. That, admittedly, doesn’t mean much. If you have ever been on Twitter, you … Continue reading “Calm down, Guardian: the NHS is (still) not being privatised”

The economist Ely Devons once said that “If economists wished to study the horse, they wouldn’t go and look at … Continue reading “How NHS worshippers copy the worst habits of economists”

Continued from Part 2   After an attempt to nationalise the health sector failed miserably in 1946-48, Britain seemingly returned … Continue reading “An alternative history: Britain without the NHS (Part 3)”

Continued from Part 1   Between 1946 and 1948, there was an attempt at a government takeover of healthcare, which … Continue reading “An alternative history: Britain without the NHS (Part 2)”

One of the most dangerous myths that pervades the political debate today is the idea that “neo-liberalism”, as the left … Continue reading “It’s time to imagine life beyond the state”

At the 2015 Battle of Ideas festival, held at the Barbican Centre, the IEA’s Kristian Niemietz represented the ‘No’ side … Continue reading “The NHS is not worth defending”

Surveys often suffer from what is known as “social desirability bias”: when people sense that an opinion they hold, or … Continue reading “NHS orthodoxy is dying: Here’s how to put patients at the heart of healthcare”