Arch Tory Stewart backs Labour to do a better job
Self-professed “long-time Tory” Sir Rod Stewart has called for the government to step down over the NHS crisis.
Sir Rod surprised Sky News viewers when he joined a live phone-in on the issue to say “he has never seen it so bad”, adding the challenges for nurses were “heartbreaking”.
“I personally have been a Tory for a long time but I think this government should stand down now and give the Labour Party a go at it,” he told viewers yesterday.
During the call he also offered to pay for “10 or 20” hospital scans after patients spoke about experiencing long waiting lists in the NHS.
The 78-year-old singer-songwriter phoned into the broadcaster’s “your say” segment, which covered people sharing their experience of health care, in an unscheduled appearance.
Sir Rod said he had attended a private clinic yesterday that was basically “empty” and was prompted to call into the show after hearing about the “ridiculous” situation in the NHS.
“There are people dying because they cannot get scans,” Sir Rod said. “Now listen to me, I don’t need the publicity, I just want to do some good things and this, I think is a good thing. If other people follow me, I’d love it.”
He then called for the NHS to be rebuilt with “billions and billions” of pounds, before adding: “In all my years in this country I’ve never seen it so bad... change the bloody government.”
“It really is heart-breaking. In all my years of living in this country, I’ve never seen it so bad and anything I could do to help. Poor nurses, I’m on your side,” he said.
Sir Rod explained that he had rung into the show in because he often has Sky News in the background while working on his model railroad.
He said he was a “big fan” of the broadcaster, before breaking into a rendition of his 1971 hit ‘Maggie May’ down the phone.
“I’m so proud to be British and I can’t stand it being in this way,” he concluded.
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