Andrew Lansley, the Tory shadow health secretary, accused the MEP of presenting a “negative and partial” view of the NHS in his contribution to the US debate about health care.
US commentators have made a number of claims about the poor quality and efficiency of NHS care. Some have suggested that elderly people with chronic conditions are effectively left to die for cost reasons. Others have described the British system as "evil" and "Orwellian."
Sounds about right to me!
The ever popular Daniel Hannan is now at odds with the modernising message of Mr Cameron, who has repeatedly promised that the NHS would be the top priority of a Conservative Government.
OK, so if it is that good - then why is it a top priority Mr Cameron?
As Mr Hannan’s comments spread across the internet, Mr Lansley released a statement defending the NHS and rebuking his party colleague. Mr Lansley said: "There are millions of people who are grateful for the care they have received from the NHS.
"It does them and the NHS a disservice for Daniel Hannan to give Americans such a negative and partial view. That we can access health care free at point of use, based on need, is something others envy.”
Err no Mr Lansley - the NHS is NOT FREE! Of course, it is free for all of the benefit-seeking spongers and immigrants, but we the taxpayers are the people who pay for the NHS.
Mr Cameron said he did not agree with Mr Hannan's remarks. Mr Cameron said: "I support the NHS 100% and the Conservative Party supports the NHS 100 per cent."
Careful Cameron, you are starting to sound like Gordon Brown. This statement is basically telling every party member what they should think. We've had enough of Gordon Brown doing it, now you?
On his Telegraph.co.uk blog, Mr Hannan made clear he was speaking for himself, not his party. He said: “I am not the Conservative Party’s health care spokesman. I’m fond of Andrew Lansley, and I strongly support David Cameron as party leader. On this issue, though, I disagree with both of them.”
Don't you just love Daniel Hannan? The Conservative Party are lucky to have him
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Agree with all that. Daniel Hannan is the hammer that knocks the nail in on a consistent basis, but don't forget that with an election (if we get one) less than a year away, I think the Conservatives have to largely stay 'on message' with regards to what Cameron has said consistently about the NHS.
14 August 2009 at 14:35The statement from Burnham that Hannan is somehow unpatriotic because he sees the errors in the current is quite frankly scraping the bottom of the barrle because as we all know patriotism is the refuge of a scoundrel, and we're lucky to have a whole government of them!
wv: distort
Good point, Elvis.
14 August 2009 at 16:23Cameron should tread carefully because Dan has massive support and represents the views of conservative thinkers more closely than does Cameron.
Cameron's intervention might serve to focus minds on the difference between the stance of the two men on all issues, including the, sshhhh, Lisbon Treaty.
Oh, I do hope so.
Good point, Elvis.
14 August 2009 at 16:23Cameron should tread carefully because Dan has massive support and represents the views of conservative thinkers more closely than does Cameron.
Cameron's intervention might serve to focus minds on the difference between the stance of the two men on all issues, including the, sshhhh, Lisbon Treaty.
Oh, I do hope so.
Dan Hannan is a titan. I can see why Cameron had to say what he did, though. I have written about the childishness of politicians and media on similar issues before. Grow up people!
14 August 2009 at 18:06(to avoid confusion, that 'grow up' was aimed at press and polies, not you fine readers!)
14 August 2009 at 18:07Daniel Hannan has THIS American firmly in his fan club. He "gets it". He understands what makes a country and medical system great. People, doctors included, need some type of individual incentive to do great work. The capitalist system has that built into it and that is why health care in capitalist countries is cutting edge, with the latest and greatest technology and skill sets.
14 August 2009 at 22:34You tell them to lay off Dan. They are not helping their cause by trying to pull this great thinker down.
Dan was rebuked by someone on BBC2 Radio News for 'insulting ' the 1.4 million folks who work for the NHS, as though the figure of 1.4million was a good thing in itself and not a large part of the problem.
14 August 2009 at 23:05Post a Comment