A Lesson in Confronting a Politician

Now more than ever with British politics in an ongoing state of turmoil has it ever been more important to scrutinize our politicians. While the British Parliament is prorogued until 14 October for an unprecedented five weeks, the House of Commons can no longer hold the Government to account so it has been left to the public and the media to carry out this function.

Never with anger. Never with intimidation. Never with violence. Always with conviction. Always with passion. Always with good reason.

On Wednesday, 18 September, 2019 the British Prime Minister was making a scheduled visit to a hospital in the Whipps Cross area of London. These visits are highly organised in advance with protocols set up of who will be in the welcoming party and who will be in the tour party to ensure they go to plan and comply with the surrounding security needs. What was not on the schedule was an opportunity for Mr Omar Salem to confront and scrutinise the Prime Minister about the NHS.

Confront—to stand in front of, to bring face to face with, to encounter, to oppose.

Mr Salem has a daughter who was born a week before the Prime Minister’s visit and who, being desperately ill, was being cared for in the children’s ward of the hospital. His first words to the Prime Minister were:

“There are not enough people on the ward, there are not enough doctors, there’s not enough nurses, it is not well organised enough.”

Members of the hospital team attempted to intervene by saying they would speak to him later, but he continued:

“The NHS has been destroyed… and now you come here for a press opportunity.”

The Prime Minister did look as uncomfortable as a herring knowing it was about to be kippered but still managed to look directly at a camera.

“There’s no press here.”

I don’t have a degree from Oxford or Cambridge in the classics like the Prime Minister. I cannot quote from ancient Latin ad lib like he can as I do not know that many phrases. What I do know is that despite his protestations there was a press contingent present even if it was only one camera.

Throughout the confrontation that lasted less than two minutes, Mr. Salem conducted himself with conviction and passion even though there must have been anger deeper down which could so easily have broken through. He got his message across clearly, and realising he was not going to get any answers, he walked away from a Prime Minister who appeared to be struggling to respond.

Full marks to Mr Salem.

Later in the day Downing Street issued a statement about the confrontation on the Prime Minister’s Twitter feed.

“I’m glad the gentleman told me his problem. It wasn’t an embarrassment.”

On social media, it became known that Mr. Salem was a Labour activist. Was that part of his backstory relevant? Primarily he is the father of a sick child. Anyone with a sick relative in a hospital would do what they could to make sure they got the best treatment available. Even if it meant being able to speak directly to a Prime Minister.

In reaction to the Prime Minister being confronted, one comment on social media from a supporter of him was:

“FFS, he’s only been in the job a few weeks. Give him a chance.”

Quite rightly he should be given a chance to start making improvements to the NHS. After all, he oversees the country while he is in 10 Downing Street. His desk there may not have the following sign on it:

“The buck stops here” —President Harry S Truman

That is the reality of his role and there is no harm in him being reminded directly of the burdens of responsibility he carries.

WE CAN ALL BE ACTIVISTS!

The circumstances that led to Mr Salem being able to confront the Prime Minister are extremely sad. What he was able to do is something we should all be doing regardless of what our concerns are about. Even if we cannot have direct access for a face to face encounter, we should be making our opinions known and keep asking questions. By letter and by email. If there is no response, then keep on until there is an answer.

Always with conviction, passion and well-reasoned arguments. Never with anger, intimidation or the threat of violence.

"One person can make a difference and everyone should try" —John F Kennedy

POSTSCRIPT

This incident received widespread coverage through both mainstream and social media channels.

By focusing on the incident itself and the people involved, it diverted attention from the reality of the serious lack of resources that the NHS is suffering from. The causes of that under resourcing is an aging population, the availability of increasingly complex and expensive treatments and increasing expectations from the people who use the service.

The aftermath of the incident also diverted attention from the most important person in the story, the "cause celebre," Mr Salem's daughter. The latest reports, as of Sunday, 22 September, are that she is continuing to recover and will be kept in the hospital for a few more days as a precautionary measure.