‘By God, believe in something’ – Michael Sheen’s St David’s Day Speech

Michael Sheen’s speech at St David’s Day march to celebrate the NHS and its founder, Aneurin Bevan, on Sunday:

“In 1945 Aneurin Bevan said: ‘We have been the dreamers, we have been the sufferers, and now, we are the builders.’ And my God, how they built. And what they built. Every bit as much a wonder of the world as any architectural marvel, or any natural miracle … The National Health Service. A truly monumental vision. The result of true representation. Of real advocacy. A symbol of equality, of fairness, and of compassion…”

Comments (8)

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  1. Obamanator92 says:

    If you ever forgot why the Tories need to be hated, read this book review from the New Left Project: http://www.newleftproject.org/index.php/site/article_comments/the_breaking_of_the_british_working_class

    It also shows some very interesting parallels to a certain vote we just had:

    “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.”

  2. SquirrelTowers says:

    Stupendous speech, gives me hope that others might start really fighting for the NHS to be protected. This documentary by Martin was fabulous too linking the Chartist march from the valleys with the issue of why people are just not voting. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b0547tsj/michael-sheens-valleys-rebellion

    1. benmadigan says:

      any chance of a You tube (or other) link for people outside the UK?
      Thanks to anyone who can supply one.
      Looks like a really interesting documentary

  3. ELAINE FRASER says:

    Brilliant passionate speech about things that matter – needs a wider audience didn’t see it on the tv?

    And the ending …’Get Out! Get Out ! ‘ couldn’t have put it better myself!

  4. Crabbit says:

    The interest in using private contractors has been there from the beginning of the NHS – not least in private sector providing GP services.

    But it isn’t currently politically fashionable to promote tie-ups with the private sector. You have to look at the contractors themselves to find out more:

    http://www.ihi.org/regions/Europe/Pages/OurWork.aspx

  5. Marian says:

    Excellent speech and right on the nail too.

    If we’d had just a smidgin of his passion from the YES leadership during the IndyRef campaign we might have won.

  6. Steve Asaneilean says:

    Except it wasn’t Bevan who came up with the idea – it was Dr Lachlan Grant of Ballachulish in his evidence to the Dewar Committee in 1912 which resulted in the setting up of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service in 1913 – the only model cited in the draft legislation in support of a National Health Service 35 years later. Just saying…

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