Tuesday 5 January 2010

Anyone Can Change Their Mind

As reported in The Independent:
David Cameron insisted today that the Tories were "the party of the NHS" as he claimed that health service spending was safe only with them. Mr Cameron said the first section of the Tories' manifesto confirmed the party's commitment to protecting the NHS budget in real terms. "It was our number one priority four years ago when I became leader of the Conservative Party - and has remained so ever since," he said. "It's only three letters long but in it lies the hopes of millions in our country - the NHS.
Somewhat of a contrast to the Conservative Party's attitude towards the foundation of the NHS, back in 1946, as described by Patricia Hewitt MP in a speech to the Fabian Society:
"The Tories opposed his (Aneurin Bevan, the Labour Health Secretary) plan tooth and nail. The Tories' health spokesperson Henry Willink warned the House of Commons that the NHS 'will destroy so much in this country that we value'. The Tories voted against it in Parliament no fewer than 51 times. Once might be a miscalculation, but 51 shows a degree of determination!"

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