As NHS march arrives in London, Miliband offers words of support for demonstrators

Today, a 300-mile long demonstration to defend the NHS from privatisation will reach London.

Organised by a group of women from Darlington, who go by the name of Darlo Mums, the demonstrationw  began 3 weeks ago and traced the route of the Jarrow March. The aim of the protestors is to call attention to “rapid dismantling, privatisation and destruction of the NHS”.

The final leg of their journey brings them to London, where today they will gather in Trafalgar Square at 15.30 – and they are rumoured to be joined by the likes of Billy Bragg, who will perform at the final rally.

Ed Miliband, who looks set to make the NHS one of the central planks of Labour’s general election campaign, has offered his words of support for the demonstrators:

“The Darlo Mums are a true inspiration to all of us and I’m proud the whole Labour movement has come together to support their campaign for the NHS. Their passion – and the passion of everyone taking part – shows how much we value our NHS, our most precious institution. And it shows the real anger people feel about what this Government is doing and the fears they have for the future of the NHS under the Tories.

“Competition, fragmentation and privatisation – that’s how the Tories see the future of our NHS, and that’s why it’s going backwards. I am committed to repealing David Cameron’s Health Act and putting NHS values, not Tory values, back at the heart of our health service once more. On behalf of the Labour party I want to say thank you for taking this campaign to communities across the country in support of our NHS.”