White state racism from Dr Nathaniel Adam Tobias C———

Dear Dr Nathaniel

Your email makes sober and shocking reading, with much helpful reading material added, too.  I never knew,

"that people with “no recourse to public funds” are barred and terrorised away from accessing the joined-up healthcare they need, and we need them to have, during this unequally devastating pandemic. Importantly, this policy is the very system of barring and terrorising that Liam Byrne, as minister, invented and introduced".

I thought it was the Conservatives and Theresa May, in particular, who brought in the hostile environment.  I would never have dreamt it was New Labour and Liam Byrne in the noughties!

However, I have found this:

"Overview. NHS treatment is not classed as a public fund for immigration purposes and can be accessed by person regardless of their immigration status, including a person who is subject to the 'no recourse to public funds' (NRPF) condition ... Therefore a person may be denied treatment if they are unable to pay for it."

FROM: https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&sxsrf=ALeKk02v5pNfzIfvLlOTpL7qTUrDBC_r3w:1615230886407&q=Does+no+recourse+to+public+funds+include+NHS%3F&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi6l9v5s6HvAhWKXsAKHV_hCvcQzmd6BAgQEBE&biw=1336&bih=614

I think you should be tough on Liam Byrne and remind him of his misdeeds.  I will, anyway if the appropriate opportunity comes in any election hustings I might be invited to.  You write,  "This election is tricky."  Not so tricky that Andy, Liam and the rest of us can't be told when we are wrong or discriminating.  White state racism remains prevalent and is a terrible stain on our society.  I can only apologise for my ancestors' behaviour through the centuries with their empire building and the despicable genocide of slavery by my white forebears that lasted 300 to 400 years.  I can only apologise for my own racism, sexism and all other prejudices that I am a party to.

I want to make the point that the Metro Mayor is largely a 'ceremonial' appointment with no "official powers" as Andy Street volunteered in a BBC 'Today' interview shortly after his election in May 2017.  Jonathan Walker, the respected and experienced reporter on the Post has written of the Metro Mayor being, "a figurehead".  The Mayor Chairs the WMCA Board but is beholden to the seven council leaders, it seems and has to do their bidding.

We all have to receive pleasant, polite but pertinent questions and comments to put us on the spot.  You must not hesitate, sir  You must influence us all over the despicable, white state racism that is still far too prevalent in British society, as we have seen with dislike/discrimination/targetting of Meghan Markle.  My barbs of constructive but, no holds barred, criticism is this, Sir: