Another day, another errant Tory MEP who wants to charge for healthcare

By Shamik Das / @shamikdas

David Cameron’s “wholehearted commitment to the NHS” came under fire from one of his own side again last night as yet another Tory MEP brought into question the very ideals of the health service.

Only last week the Tory leader made a key-note speech in which he reaffirmed his personal belief in “the principle of a healthcare system that is free at the point of use, based on need and not the ability to pay” – a principle that has once more been undermined by an errant MEP.

Speaking on last night’s Channel Four News Dr Tannock said:

“I would be totally in favour of small co-payments, ie. small payments being made if you turn up to things and perhaps small fines being levied if you don’t. We need to look at these issues again, I know they are controversial but I don’t think that people who are in a job would actually be against, say, spending £10 to see their GP or being fined £10 if they don’t show up to an out-patients.”