No one denies their deep grievances – but after seeing improvements and winning generous pay settlements, the BMA is overplaying its hand

The bizarre, self-defeating assault on Wes Streeting suggests a pre-budget panic. This feels like a government losing touch and escaping from dismal circumstances in the real world. The ricochets damaged the PM and Morgan McSweeney, whoever organised these orchestrated briefings. If the briefers are not “found” and fired, No 10 looks either weak or guilty.

The health secretary shrugged it off with wit and agility in a host of interviews and left for Manchester to speak to the NHS Providers conference. There, he addressed grim-faced managers confronting the hardest of times. Resident (formerly junior) doctors go out on a five-day strike from 7am on Friday. Their timing aims at maximum disruption in what will be “one of the toughest winters our staff have ever faced” according to NHS England’s CEO, Jim Mackey. An exceptionally virulent flu strain has arrived early, with cases already several times higher than normal. Last month, flu hospitalisations were up 74% week-on-week.

Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist

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