The reform party has agreed to continue the triple lock

Dont believe anything word they say. What they say and what they do are two different things. They already said they will make the NHS work like the US Insurance Model that will mean most ordinary pensioners will end up bankrupt, poor heakth care or dead. I wouldn't vote Reform if they were one of only two choices.

GrannyGravy13

valdali totally agree, friendships are very precious

ronib

Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Italy. Abu Dhabi has exceptional care. DAR

All for differing reasons, Switzerland has one of the costliest living expenses and high taxes. As does Denmark. I have no idea about Italy but if the system is anything like Spain then it’s paid towards and it does seem those living in the Med countries live healthier lives so perhaps no so many people requiring the type of healthcare we need here.

I have no idea about Japan or Abu Dhabi.

Out of interest, have you or close friends/family used the healthcare systems in the Countries you mention?

This is also nothing new, many NHS patient are referred into the private sector to lessen waiting times, the NHS pick up the tab, no need for a “voucher system”

ronib

A google search suggests that Reform wants to remove waiting lists for patients by using the private sector. Vouchers for private care will be given if a gp can’t be seen within 3 days. Also for seeing a consultant. Sounds good to me.

Google needs to keep up.

The voucher scheme was part of the 2024 Reform election "Contract" which was withdrawn just months later.

A spokesperson for Reform UK distanced itself from these proposals, saying: Reform UK formally and publicly dropped the 2024 manifesto in October 2024, and does not reflect our current health policies.

We are currently in the process of developing our healthcare policy ...

There is nothing about NHS policy for England on Reform's website so I can only assume it is still being developed.

As Reform changes its Head of Policy frequently, three in less than two years, Simon Marcus, Zia Yusuf and now James Orr, who knows?

You have not changed my mind. Your comments on each country are not very accurate but a convenient way of saying what you want to prove…. DAR

ronib

DAR you forgot to mention the cost of the NHS to the taxpayer in your far left? Analysis/drivel?

I didn't "forget" anything ronib. I replied to what you wrote. Expectation of online mind-reading is excessive.

I was referring to DAR’s comment that my comment was drivel… and far right??
UK taxpayers are paying huge amounts in tax which means the NHS is not offering good value in terms of waiting times as compared to the countries I quoted.

Ronib, calling people's comments as 'drivel' is hardly going to convince anyone of your view.
Tax payers contribute to NHS already, so I'm not sure what point you are making?

DAR you forgot to mention the cost of the NHS to the taxpayer in your far left? Analysis/drivel?

Well, They would, wouldn’t they - to quote/paraphrase Mandy Rice-Davies.

For the 2024 General Election, Reform made a big thing about not using the word "Manifesto" saying they purposely used the term “Contract” instead to differentiate their policy proposals from broken political promises, positioning it as a direct agreement with the electorate.

Two months after the election, they broke that agreement saying the contract, including the promised income tax cut of at least £1,500 per person, was “a philosophy of what the party wants to achieve rather than policy detail”.

I see that for the Welsh Senedd they are using Manifesto not Contract.

Draw your own conclusions but this is the IFS response to the Reform Manifesto for Wales.

Reform UK leans on assumed inefficiencies and cuts to spending it deems wasteful or inappropriate … while Reform UK’s Welsh manifesto is more restrained on its tax-cutting pledges than its plans in Scotland, it has not fully faced up to the fiscal realities facing the next Welsh Government.

Where have we heard this before? Local government perhaps? DOGE? Do they really think they can fool people over and over again?

WithNobsOnIt

However vile and hated Reform may appear to some people. They have gained Voters because they talk about issues that a lot of ordinary everyday people are really
concerned about. Especially Immigration and.crime levels

And are.put down by Virtue Signaling Wokes or this awful government for even daring to voice their opinions

Many of their supporters really form a protest vote

Labour have deeply hated their old guard decent White Working Class
Voters since Blair took power and still do with a deep passion.

The Conservatives all look like Yesterday's Men and are almost finished as a party.

The Greens are now a National joke.Especially with that clown Polanski leading them.

Any you know what they say about Liberals. Scratch a Liberal and you get a Fascist

Our local Candidates in the Council Elections are not up too much at all. They are not well informed even about simple matters..

They do not really have a genuine community ethos and sold out years ago to. silly ideologies .

They are not well informed and no longer interested in helping local. people with housing, neighbourhood and other important problems.

They are more interested in getting cycle lanes built which nobody uses. because they still use the pavement as a cycle lane.

I wouldn't vote for any of them.

Personally, I believe that someone who does not vote has no right to express an opinion.

No, no, no! Never voting Reform.

ronib

Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Italy. Abu Dhabi has exceptional care. DAR

And I'm supposed to accept that just because you say so ronib. Lists like that often reflect reputation or anecdote rather than a balanced look, so let's have a few facts, a grounded look at the main downsides of each.

Switzerland
Very expensive: It has one of the highest healthcare costs per capita in the world. Mandatory private insurance premiums can be a heavy burden.
Complex system: Highly fragmented with many insurers; navigating it isn’t always simple.
Equity concerns: Lower-income residents may struggle despite subsidies.

Netherlands
Access gatekeeping: The GP (family doctor) acts as a strict filter. Patients often feel symptoms are “dismissed” before getting specialist care.
Mandatory private insurance: Everyone must buy insurance, and premiums + deductibles can still feel expensive.
Mental health wait times: Long delays for non-urgent psychological care.

Germany
Complex system: Dual system (public + private insurance) creates inequality—private patients often get faster access.
High payroll contributions: Healthcare is funded largely through income-based contributions, which can be costly.
Administrative burden: Paperwork and bureaucracy are still surprisingly heavy.

Japan
Overuse of services: Easy access and low costs can lead to very frequent doctor visits and strain the system.
Workforce strain: Doctors often work long hours; rural areas face shortages.
Aging population pressure: One of the oldest populations in the world is pushing costs up rapidly.

Denmark
High taxes: Healthcare is tax-funded, and overall taxation is among the highest globally.
Waiting times: Non-emergency procedures can involve delays.
Limited choice: Less flexibility in choosing specialists compared to more market-based systems.

Italy
Regional inequality: Northern regions offer much better care than southern ones.
Underfunding: Public system struggles with budget constraints.
Long waiting lists: Especially for elective procedures—many people go private to avoid delays.

Abu Dhabi
Insurance tied to employment: Access depends heavily on your job and employer-provided coverage.
Cost variability: High-quality care is excellent—but can be very expensive without strong insurance.
Expats vs citizens gap: Emirati citizens receive more comprehensive coverage than expatriates.

You may have different facts you can put forward but no one should believe the far-right drivel without asking what backs it.

I’ve heard that Spanish healthcare/ hospitals are very good too.

ronib

Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Denmark, Italy. Abu Dhabi has exceptional care. DAR

Germany's care isn't quite so exceptional as you might think. Moreover, Germans pay a health tax, which isn't that different from paying NI. The main difference is that the "Krankenkassen" are operated by private organisations. The big (and critical) difference is that Germans pay a higher percentage of their income on healthcare.

Reform will never get my vote but neither will the Greens. I dread the results of the May elections.

Ronib you assume that all can afford a good private insurance package ! I cannot!!
My brother in Australia still has to pay for health care as well as insurance and his dental bills are enormous! The grass isn’t always greener plus I wouldn’t trust Farage ! He doesn’t understand what days work is! Ask his constituents where he has not even held a surgery ! He cannot fulfil his job as MP !!!

David49

Casdon

The Reform plan will not work ronib, because there is not additional untapped capacity. It’s a systemic problem in the UK, which requires investment to increase the number of doctors and support services to meet demand, not a sticking plaster job.

There could be a lot more capacity if those that could afford it paid more, not through general taxation but direct into health care. That would free up space for those that cant afford it

No, it wouldn't because the number of staff wouldn't magically increase. It's a myth that using private healthcare frees up space in the NHS.

Expensive not experience!

Chronic illnesses are the main cause of bankruptcy in the US and if you can't work you don't have insurance. It's a dreadful system. Very experience and has poor outcomes, the system is designed to bleed patients of their money and make doctors rich.

ditto BlueBelle

Private health insurance eventually runs out.
Ask your friends and family in the USA.
How many people in the UK went bankrupt last year because of medical debt? None.
How many in the USA?

BlueBelle

No they need to take a long jump, they are vile, misogynist, far right, racist and a huge blot on our country, they could give me a million pounds and I d still never feel different.

Absolutely. I agree 100 per cent.