If Rishi Sunak cared about the NHS he would be doing everything he could to resolve the disputes with health workers.
The unions have been pleading with the Prime Minister to talk to them about pay.
They have repeatedly said they are prepared to work round the clock to negotiate a deal.
Instead he has slammed the door shut without even bothering to hear why so many NHS staff have turned to industrial action.
If the Tories were prepared to listen they would realise frontline workers are not just striking for better wages but because they fear for the future of the NHS they so proudly serve.
Instead of seeking conciliation and understanding, Mr Sunak and Health Secretary Steve Barclay have opted for confrontation.
Mr Barclay has inflamed tensions, claiming the unions are deliberately putting patient’s lives at risk, and falsely accusing them of failing to provide contingency cover during strikes.
It is not the unions which are a threat to patients. It is the Conservatives, who have failed to listen to genuine concerns, failed to invest in the NHS and failed to value its staff.
Honour heroes
Some emergency services workers pay the highest price for their bravery.
They include PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, who were murdered in an ambush in Greater Manchester 10 years ago.
Nicola’s father, Bryn, is calling for a medal for emergency workers killed in the line of duty.
While such an honour exists for those in the Armed Forces there is no equivalent for their civilian counterparts.
Police chiefs, regional mayors and MPs from across the political spectrum are now calling on Home Secretary Suella Braverman to put right this wrong.
There is no debate – those who make the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be honoured.
Roverdoing it
Pet owners are set to spend £873million on festive gifts for their cats and dogs.
Let’s hope the Christmas goodies from Santa Claws are up to scratch.
