Health: More Suicides Under Conservative Governments, BBC
Last edited Thu May 14, 2020, 09:47 PM - Edit history (1)
"More Suicides Under Conservative Rule," BBC News, Sep. 18, *2002, (Review).
The suicide rate increases under Conservative governments, research suggests. Australian scientists found the suicide rate in the country increased significantly when a Conservative government was in power.
And an analysis of figures in the UK seems to suggest a similar trend. The Australian team analysed suicide statistics for New South Wales between 1901, when the federal government was established, and 1998.
- The suicide rate in the UK increased under Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister (1979-1990), Conservative.
They then looked at the political regimes dominating both state and federal governments in New South Wales, which have consistently been under either Labour or Conservative control.
The researchers took into account periods of drought and World War II, because of their economic and psychological impact. Suicide rates were higher during periods of drought and lower during WWII. But after adjusting for these factors, the figures clearly showed the highest rates of suicide occurred when both Conservative state and federal governments were in power.
- Men at risk
Conversely, the lowest rates occurred when state and federal governments were both Labour.
Middle aged and older people were most at risk.
When the Conservatives ruled both state and federal governments, men were 17% more likely to commit suicide than when Labour was in power. Women were 40% more likely to kill themselves.
Suicide rates were higher under post-war than pre-war Conservative governments.
- John Major, The rate dipped under moderate John Major, Prime Minister (1991-1996), Conservative.
The authors argue that Conservative rule traditionally implies a less interventionist and more market-orientated policy than Labour rule. This may make people feel more detached from society, they added.
The researchers concede that ideological distinctions between Conservative and Labour politicians have become more blurred over the past 20 years.
But they say public perceptions that their policies differ may still remain intact.
Lead researcher Professor Richard Taylor, of the University of Sydney, told BBC News Online: "We think that it may be because material conditions in lower socio-economic groups may be relatively better under labour because of government programmes, and there may be a perception of greater hope by these groups under labour.
"There is a strong relationship between socio-economic status and suicide."
The research is published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
- British situation...
- Suicide rates per million 1901-1998 England and Wales by prime minister -
Period Suicide rate Main prime minister in power:
1901-1905 101 Balfour (Conservative)
1906-1910 102 Campbell-Bannerman (Liberal)
1911-1915 96 Asquith (Liberal)
1916-1920 85 Lloyd-George (Liberal)
1921-1925 101 Baldwin (Conservative)
1926-1930 123 Baldwin (Conservative)
1931-1935 135 MacDonald (National coalition)
1936-1940 124 Chamberlain (Conservative)
1941-1945 92 Churchill (Conservative)
1946-1950 106 Atlee (Labour)
1951-1955 107 Churchill (Conservative)
1956-1960 116 Eden (Conservative)
1961-1965 137 Macmillan (Conservative)
1966-1970 118 Wilson (Labour)
1971-1975 101 Heath (Conservative)
1976-1980 112 Callaghan (Labour)
1981-1985 121 Thatcher (Conservative)
1986-1990 118 Thatcher (Conservative)
1991-1995 110 Major (Conservative)
1996-1998 103 Blair (Labour)
MORE, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/2263690.stm
Wiki, Margaret Thatcher, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher
- Reagan and Thatcher meet in Bonn, Germany in 1985.
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