The UK needs a general election and a government led by a credible prime minister that acknowledges the important work the protection and health insurance industry does, advisers told Health & Protection.
Speaking in the wake of the dramatic resignation of Liz Truss as PM this afternoon after the shortest tenure on record, they also urged Conservative politicians to hold up their hands and “take their losses”.
Alan Lakey, director at Highclere Financial Services, told Health & Protection that Truss’s resignation came as “no surprise” given the “antics” of the past month.
“Surely the country would feel a lot better if the next PM was elected rather than appointed. It goes against the whole point of democracy,” he said.
“Every government in my recollection has failed to acknowledge the good that the protection industry does in removing much of the financial burden that would otherwise fall on the state.
“The benefits of the protection industry’s efforts are such that surely, any sane chancellor, would provide tax breaks for those taking out private medical insurance (PMI) and income protection (IP) plans to further encourage take-up.
“In truth, my interaction with MPs over the years indicates that most are unfit for the job and bend too easily to the crack of the whip.”
‘Not about your career’
For Isaac Feiner, owner of Lifepoint Healthcare, the next PM must understand their responsibility to the country to perform at the highest level.
“There is zero margin for error,” Feiner said.
“If there is an iota of self-doubt or internal knowledge that you are in above your head do not accept or attempt for the position.
“This is not about your career. This is about ensuring the public have a credible leader who can lead them out of the turmoil and never-ending list of crises we face.”
Andrew Wilkinson, director at Moneysworth, told Health & Protection nobody seems to know what conservatism really means any more or the values the party aspires to.
“The parliamentary Conservative party is now so divided their ability to govern is clearly fundamentally compromised,” he said.
“The best thing for the party and the country is to be honest, hold its hands up and call a general election now, take the losses, see which Conservative MPs still have seats and then work out which principles, policies and values the significant majority of the parliamentary party can agree to support.”
