Orders of the Day — The Economy

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 4:30 pm on 13 December 2000.

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Photo of Mr Michael Portillo Mr Michael Portillo Conservative, Kensington and Chelsea 4:30, 13 December 2000

If the hon. Gentleman listens, he might learn something.

Our neighbours in Europe have more mixed systems. For example, employers and trade union health care schemes play a much more significant part in the total health budget in many other countries. That has enabled such countries to spend significantly higher proportions of their national prosperity on health care than we do in Britain. Surely, except to the most blinkered and ideological individuals, that is a lesson that could help Britain have more doctors, nurses and hospitals.

Every week, the Prime Minister misrepresents our commitment to the national health service. However, the Government will pay the price. It is the Government who are blinkered. They are the ones who live in fear of change, wedded to an ideology suited to the 1940s and absolutely unsuited to the new century.