Thought the Liberal Democrats were strong supporters of the National Health Service? Think again. Here’s Tom Pride:

I’m not sure why so many people are surprised that the Lib Dems so readily agreed to the Tory’s plans to break up and privatise the NHS.

Because their leaders have been talking about it for years.

Here are three historic quotes from senior Liberal Democrat figures on the ‘need’ to break up and privatise the NHS:

Lib Dem government minister David Laws said the NHS should be broken up because it would mean:

“Greater choice and competition for patients, better funding and health outcomes.”

Lib Dem peer Dame Shirley Williams said people should pay to visit their GPs because:

“the French I think charge something equivalent to £5 per appointment. It might get people to value the service.”

Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg also said the NHS should be broken up because:

“I think breaking up the NHS is exactly what you do need to do to make it a more responsive service.”

He goes on to list Liberal Democrats who have a financial interest in private health firms – but you’ll have to visit his own site to read it.

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