Jim Murphy

What absolutely stupendous news - entirely justified from the outset of course, but the natural justice of the outcome had to be fought for every inch of the way.brbrI’m sure heartiest congratulations need to be passed to the British Embassy staff in Paris & most especially to all those “French Health Issues FHI” volunteers who so selflessly and tirelessly gave so much of their time, so professionally and so effectively. In my view, without their commitment it may well be that the retrospective proposals will have passed into law without challenge.brbrSo - a great day; but as a good friend has suggested, maybe the next campaign starts here - the one for official recognition of the FHI team, for it is they who are the real victors here today. Do I hear MBEs for Deborah Dudley, Frank Murphy et al…..

Posted by NICK GREENWOOD on January 24, 2008 at 11:52 AM GMT #

I wholeheartedly agree with Nick and I shall be raising a glass in my little local bar tonight to all the tremendous people at FHI.brbrBest wishes to everyone involved in this campaign. You have gone some way to restoring my faith in human nature.brbrDerek

Posted by Derek Wood on January 24, 2008 at 01:35 PM GMT #

What a relief for everyone. Let's hope it doesn't take too long to brief the CPAM staff because time is running out fast and some poor folks need help pdq.brbrI, like thousands of others, would like to say a big, big thank you from the bottom of my heart to the team at French Health Issues for all their efforts. What a team. Ever thought of managing England?!! . And thanks to many thousands of others who, like me, did their bit to stand up and fight for our rights. brbrIt's good to know your voice still counts - as long as you shout loud enough!brbrbr

Posted by Liz on January 24, 2008 at 02:26 PM GMT #

I have been vociferous in my criticism of Jim for seemingly doing nothing. I now wish to be vociferous in my appreciation of what has been achieved. Well done Jim, Well done to the British Embassy and, Ian, Well done to French Health Issues. I think their contribution has been than 'small'. A big Well Done to anyone who played a part in righting this wrong.

Posted by Alain in France on January 24, 2008 at 03:30 PM GMT #

Thank you and many congratulations; relief all round.brbrThe Embassy staff have clearly worked hard with you behind the scenes and have been exemplary in responding to emails and generally keeping us up-to-date.brLife can now carry on and once we have our Carte Vitales we will be holding a party. We fully appreciate that there will be a certain amount of delay before the local CPAMs are fully informed and so won't be rushing to brandish the Embassy letter in their faces just yet. brbrSeriously, the result is a vindication of the diplomatic approach; some of the attitudes displayed by other Brits, although understandable in the circumstances, seemed gratuitiously offensive.brbrReiterated thanks and congratulationsbrbrFionna Ashmorebrbr.br brCan I also suggest that official recognition be given to the French Health Issues team. br

Posted by Fionna Ashmore on January 24, 2008 at 06:14 PM GMT #

Actions have spoken louder than words and all involved are to be commended. I don't want to be churlish but although Ian's comments may be partly correct no one can doubt that Deborah Dudley and all at FHI deserve a big pat on the back as they have burnt the midnight oil without any reward. Without 'people power' things do not get done. Congratulations to all who played a part and that includes government representatives on both side of the channel. Can someone now tell all the CPAM's please?

Posted by Denis Turner on January 24, 2008 at 07:44 PM GMT #

IANbrAre you the same Ian that wrote this?:br-------------------------------------------------------------br# 13 January 2008 23:32 Ian wrote: brre: Healthcare in France - E106 holders brFrom contact with the British Embassy in Paris it is now totally clear that you are not representing people with expired E106's but just trying to clarify what the French intend to do. What is needed is a bit of pressure to get those who have been hit by short or no notice retrospective changes to be allowed to join the CMU. I never appreciated how subservient the British government can be when faced with a pretty easy problem.brbrAND THISbrbr# 19 January 2008 10:04 Ian wrote: brre: Healthcare in France - E106 holders brThe British government are either unable or unwilling to sort this out. The French government are either unwilling or unable to sort this out. In both cases it speaks volumes on the attitudes of politicians to their citizens and people legally living in their country to whom they have a duty of care. It is where the whole point of politicians fails and the system breaks down. Whilst they do nothing now, come next elections they will be asking us to vote for them as "they have done such a good job". brbrBritish government could sort it out by doing more than "waiting for clarification" and starting to tell the French government about things a bit more forcefully. They could start representing people suffering hardships on an individual basis, etc. loads of ways without needing to extend E106's. brbrThe French government could sort it out by obeying EU law, by telling the regional/local CPAMs how to implement the rules, by not applying retrospective legislation, by notifying people affected before the rule change - basically by treating people with just a little consideration. brbrThese governmental bodies can do this stuff easily. Its what they are there for. If they cannot then they should elect/employ people who can do it - after all it is their job. brbrPoliticians are elected and have a responsibility to their citizens and people who fall under their jurisdiction. When they ignore this duty the entire system fails. In the UK politicians all talk about greater involvement by everybody but then just ignore everybody. Pretty soon people are going to start asking why we pay so much tax, etc. for these people who then do and achieve nothing.brbrAND THISbrbr# 22 January 2008 11:59 Ian wrote: brre: Healthcare in France - E106 holders brOf course anybody whose E106 has expired and they have followed FCO advice and not taken out Private Insurance is now illegal - and as such and residency under an E106 does not count towards their 5 years for Permanent residence as you need to have 5 years continuous legal residence to become a permanent resident and be allowed into the CMU. Become illegal and you go back to square one - thanks for the advice FCO. brbrI now doubt that the UK has the capability to do anything. If they did not already realise it the French authorities must now have noticed how they can just run rings round the British government. Give a reassurance one day e.g. AMF and then change their minds the next day and UK gov just "overlooks it all" and keeps waiting. brbrThere is a trick question: "What is always coming and never arrives ?" answer: "Tomorrow"brbr______________________________________________brbrIf so, as one of those you accuse of ignorance of the subtleties of diplomatic manoeuvrings, I can't square your last fawning contribution with your earlier more robust ones.brbrI for one am happy that we appear to have some kind of recognition of basic human decency and respect for the rights of EU citizens who have played by the rules. We were asking for no more than was due to us. Jim Murphy could have responded at any time and in a coded 'diplomatic' manner to the pleas of those who were in a state of utter desperation. He didn't. They/we were left in limbo. I am sure that, without the pressure from FHI we would still be in that state. More power to them and I hope they have the stamina and will continue to apply their skills to remaining unresolved issues. brbrDerek Woodbr

Posted by Derek Wood on January 24, 2008 at 10:25 PM GMT #

In response to Derek.brNo I am not that Ian brI am this Ianbr 04 December 2007 12:25 Ian wrote: brre: Announcement expected from French Ministry of Health brWhile I appreciate that Neville has a problem I do not see why Jim Murphy should be blamed for the lack of info coming from the French Government. brIt is for the Securite Sociale in France to make an announcement,not the British Government. brPerhaps if people were to reflect that if it was not for the efforts being put in by the British Embassy we would all be thrown out of the health system,as it is there appears to be a slight chink brbrSo I have maintained a consistent approach and have always supported the work being done while pointing out the misinformation being banded about on French forums

Posted by Ian on January 25, 2008 at 09:24 AM GMT #

Brilliant work by French Health Issues and the Embassy! However, do not rejoice too soon. I have been in contact with my CPAM office this morning who were very quick to point out that the letter from the minister did not constitute the law and they were waiting for confirmation.Bizarrely they asked me to sign a copy of the ministerial letter I had downloaded from the Embassy website and send it with a copy of the letter from England which they already have confirming that no extension of my E106 is available.I was told they would be in touch. I then rang the CPAM helpline who told me that the latest decision should become law before the end of March and to start up my application for admission into the system now. How much longer can they make us wait?

Posted by Christine Dept. 58 Nièvre on January 25, 2008 at 11:08 AM GMT #

I was delighted to read of the French change of heart for E106 holders. This is a great day for Anglo-French relations. Well done to the negotiating staff at the British Embassy, and congratulations to Deborah Dudley and her team at FHI. What an achievement!

Posted by Penny on January 25, 2008 at 04:13 PM GMT #

re: Decision on Healthcare in France brMr. Murphy,brI'm not sure what all the excitement is about but to this date we have not received a word concerning the reversal of the decision to expel us from the national health insurance system. brMaybe the celebrations were premature.

Posted by Paul Wood on February 04, 2008 at 02:17 PM GMT #