Now Tory MP says diabetics have only themselves to blame!

Once again I've been inundated with complaints about my Tory successor. Email/phone red hot etc…

His pearl of wisdom on this occasion is that "diabetes is COMPLETELY avoidable through good diet and exercise"*; a non-elegant way of asserting that "diabetics have only themselves to blame". He apparently sought to assure (the many people who...'ve complained to me) that he's well informed; having attended a "diabetes awareness" event and spoken to a local GP.

Complainants reminded me that he also assured the audience at the West Cornwall HealthWatch General Election Hustings in April that he's "no Numpty" and that he's been making much of his membership of the Science & Technology Committee in Parliament. So purporting to speak with authority…

So you'd have thought he'd at least privately road test his astonishingly ignorant remark before causing so much distress, especially for Type 1 and indeed Type 2 diabetics and their families… (* These remarks were made on Facebook and in local newspapers. I attach a copy of a screen-shot sent to me by email.)

Of course I could simply vent my anger against this routine Tory "the poor/sick/refugees/diabetics have only themselves to blame" Claptrap, point out that it's typical for a Conservative Party which secretly wants to dismantle the NHS and the welfare safety net, but there are more serious and immediate issues to address…

…like, if a local GP really did say to an impressionable MP "diabetes is COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE" then s/he should be identified and reported to the GMC for an early 'fitness to practice' hearing. So the first and most responsible action for my successor (apart from of course making a public apology) would be to report the name of this GP.
Secondly, I'm concerned for the Charities and clinicians who've prepared for World Diabetes Awareness Day (Nov 14th). If their awareness raising produces this kind of counterproductive, upsetting and ignorant remark then they should re-examine their communication strategy. I have of course drawn theses concerns and complaints to the attention of Diabetes UK and Silver Star.

Final remarks:
1) I don't mind people complaining to me and I will of course do my best to help, but the Tory candidate won and I lost. If people regret that they may wish to reflect, and perhaps help get a better result next time.
2) It is one thing to advance the case for exercise and a good diet, but quite another to imply that diabetics have only themselves to blame (not an untypical sentiment for a Tory).
3) Although it is preposterous and extremely hurtful to make such an ignorant remark about Type 1 Diabetics, it's also wrong to assert that even Type 2 diabetes is "COMPLETELY AVOIDABLE" through exercise and diet.
4) If Tories really believe that good diet helps to prevent ill health and extra cost to the NHS then they should not consistently oppose policies to force food processors to use honest and clear traffic light labelling, taxing excessive sugar, fat and salt and minimum pricing for alcohol, etc. We know the Tories are funded by these big corporations. They always hide behind voluntary agreements (Responsibility Deal etc) which don't work.