On Wednesday 25th March 2015, debates surrounding the elections were held at Birmingham University.
Radio Presenter Charmaine Burton held the debate at the Aston University campus, where four candidates voiced their opinions and facts regarding either immigration or health care.
The Senior Regional Officer, for the Royal College of Nursing kick started the debate, with whether we could still afford the NHS or not.
With many parties addressing that they would invest more in the NHS if elected, David Kirwan felt like it was one of the biggest concerns by voters. According to the NHS Confederation, the expenditure set for 2014/2015, is £113.035 billion.
“The cost of the NHS, will be on people’s minds running up to the election.” Said Kirwan.
When introduced Roger McKenzie the assistant General Secretary at UNISON, he blended the impact of immigration and healthcare. To start of his speech he incorporated both themes. He spoke on his mother who was an immigrant and was assaulted whilst pregnant with him because of her race. He however lightening up story by praising the wonderful care she received in the hospital.
Throughout his short talk, McKenzie addressed he strong views on how immigrants are treated in the British workforce.
“Frankly there are too many people in this country who are experiencing too much harassment and exploitation from their employers.” said McKenzie.
He expressed links between immigration and health care. McKenzie felt like health care was one of the main sectors were immigrants were exploited the most.
“Immigrants lose their rights as a worker, as they are employed on these self-employed schemes.” McKenzie said.
For example bank jobs in the hospital, nurses have the opportunity of booking in when they want to work however Kirwan said, “Bank nurses won’t see the same benefits as a permanent employed nurse.”
Ending the speech the only lady at the front, gave her to support to how immigrants should be welcomed with open arms.
Dr Katherine Tonkiss, a lecturer for Sociology at Aston University, spoke on the views on how people should be free to come in to another country without having hatred towards them.
“Borders are not real.” Said Dr Tonkiss. She goes into depth about opening borders and the importance of it. She expressed how she felt that the government were spending money are things that we cannot control.
Dr Tonkiss ended her speech with,
“We are focusing on the wrong issues.”
Danielle-Roxanne 