Speaking on the latest edition of the Politics for Drummies podcast, Lord Bethell said the UK's deteriorating health situation was threatening hopes for future prosperity and the next government needed to act swiftly to get the country back on track.
In conversation with host Alastair Duncan (hereditary peerage, Conservative member of the House of Lords, co-founder and former managing director of Ministry of Sounds), James Nicholas Bethel, 5th Baron Bethel He says his role in the House of Lords during the coronavirus pandemic has made him keenly aware that Britain's poor health situation is now an emergency for whoever takes over as Number 10 after the upcoming general election.
“During the pandemic, we saw how sick Britain is,” he says. “In fact, the UK is much sicker than any other country. It was painful to see people being taken to ICU and intubated. Most of them were smokers, obese, overweight and suffering from all sorts of illnesses. That's why the virus hit them so hard. Many of these people come from poor areas. [poor health] It’s really holding us back as a nation. People are quitting their jobs because they are not feeling well.
“This idea of trying to stop people from getting unwell fascinates me. Our focus in the NHS is to try to treat people, but in many cases we end up losing blood and losing blood. By the time they stumble into the emergency room and need surgery, it's too late. This is a very expensive way to run a health system.”
Bethel, a former entrepreneur and marketer, recognizes the power of marketing and suggests a starting point would be stronger regulation of marketing and the use of social media platforms.
“I'm tired of gambling companies, polluting companies, junk food companies that produce highly addictive products. I've fought addiction, quitting smoking and getting my diet in order has been one of the hardest things I've ever done. And they relentlessly market this stuff to kids, homes and families. They limit our shopping opportunities based on very narrow choices.
“Raising taxes on smoking, restricting sales and distribution marketing through junk food and sugar taxes… marketing watersheds, restricting the use of social media to market junk food… these are high-level matters that the government will consider. But that's not the only solution. The NHS can play its part by focusing on prevention and trying to catch the disease early. How do we deal with people who are taking advantage of our poor health?”
These are big challenges. Does Bethell feel that today's politicians and leaders are capable of meeting these challenges? The jury seems out.
“I think politics these days tends to attract weirdos because of the nature of politics,” he says. “It attracts weirdos, but it didn't used to be that way. Once upon a time, it was war heroes, successful entrepreneurs, trade unionists, civil rights activists. My family has been in politics for 150 years. It was active, and there were always weirdos and oddballs, but not as much as there are these days.
“Politicians have never been popular. And they don't come in for the accolades. What's sad to me is seeing really good people crumble under pressure. Integrity and goodwill. People who appear to have the same skills fail, make mistakes, go too far, drink too much, go a little crazy, and then actually lose their competence, their civility, their integrity, and are destroyed by the system. When I look at it…you know? I want to reach out and take them away from it over and over again.”
