Lib Dem MP slams local Tory MEP over NHS

4.48.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 17th Aug 2009

MP for Lewes Norman Baker has strongly criticised Tory MEP Daniel Hannan's attacks on the NHS.

Norman says: "By going on American television and saying that he 'wouldn't wish it on anybody', Hannan has revealed his complete lack of respect for the NHS, an organisation which treats millions of patients every year. He has aligned himself with far-right American politicians who ignore the fact that in the USA 45 million people are without health insurance, and millions more have inadequate coverage. I am proud to be a citizen of a country which instead sees healthcare as a basic human right, not a privilege for the wealthy.

"Hannan's actions demonstrated a lack of respect for his country in front of an American audience. More worryingly, they have revealed a deep-seated divide within the Conservative party: how can David Cameron expect us to believe that the NHS is his party's 'number one priority' when one of his most prominent MEPs, supported by fellow MEP Roger Helmer, has called it a 60 year mistake and Peter Bone MP has previously described it as a 'Stalinist' system? Clearly the NHS will not be safe in Tory hands."

The Liberal Democrats fully support government funded healthcare, and Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb has called the NHS one of the country's 'finest achievements.'