A warning for the Lib Dems

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

There’s an interesting post by Don Paskini over at Liberal Conspiracy today that asks whether or not the Lib Dems are able to save the NHS. He also goes on to describe a plausible and sensible course of action that Nick Clegg and his party can take to avoid annihilation over health service reform.

These reforms are dangerous, and threaten the very nature of what the NHS is. Over 200,000 people have signed the 38 Degrees petition to save the NHS. Opposition is already at a level that should frighten the Lib Dems.

The sensible thing for them to do would be to take Don’s advice, damand Lansley’s head and try to turn coalition health policy around. The problem is that so far – on the big issues at least – the Lib Dems have shown an abject lack of backbone.

So it’s time to issue a warning to the Lib Dems from Labour activists up and down the country. There are elections across the UK on May 5th, just six weeks away. The Liberal Democrat base, your very lifeblood, is local government. If you haemorrhage support there, then you really do risk becoming a regional party.

If you vote with the Tories to bring in these misguided and damaging NHS reforms, then across the nation Labour Party members will be knocking on doors, making phone calls and delivering leaflets that lay the blame at your door.

Unlike tuition fees, these damaging changes to our health service aren’t covered by the coalition agreement. If you vote with Lansley over this you will have confirmed the very worst fears of so many if your former supporters – that you’re just yellow Tories after all…