Novara Live Keir Starmer Says “Don’t Abandon Patients” As Doctor Five-Day Strikes Begin
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Dec 17, 2025 
Dr. Thomas Cheliotis-James, Deputy Chair of the BMA Resident Doctors' Committee, shares insights on the striking junior doctors' pay and the erosion of training posts since 2008. He emphasizes the need for better funding and trust in negotiations. Jamie Driscoll, former Labour mayor turned Green Party member, discusses his political shift and how the Greens can appeal to disillusioned voters by showcasing economic competence. The conversation touches on pressing political tensions and the growing influence of unions within Labour.
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Prioritise Workforce Investment
- Invest in staff to improve NHS capacity and care quality rather than only reallocating existing resources.
- Thomas Cheliotis-James suggests workforce investment is one of the surest ways to reduce waits and improve services.
Systemic Rigidity Fuels Workforce Friction
- Doctors describe systemic rigidity: red tape blocks tech and flexible workforce recognition, causing inefficiency.
- That inflexibility drains resources and worsens morale, contributing to strikes and staffing problems.
Unison Leadership Shift Changes Labour Leverage
- Andrea Egan's Unison win threatens Labour's control by ending automatic subservience and could loosen party leverage.
- Egan pledged to hold Labour's feet to the fire and may make strike ballots easier for members.