As the Conservative Party published the first chapter of its draft general election manifesto, the Tory leader said Labour would not protect the NHS budget, insisting the Tories are “the party of the NHS” and that health service spending is safe only with them.
“Today, the Conservatives are the party of the NHS. But talk is cheap. You’ve got to back that with action, and we have. We are the only party committed to protecting NHS spending.
“It’s there in black and white behind me. I’ll cut the deficit, not the NHS.”
His raid on traditional Labour territory came alongside the launch of a new nationwide poster campaign denying Labour allegations of Tory cuts.
At the press conference launching the first chapter of draft manifesto, the Tory leader stepped up his attack on Prime Minister Gordon Brown, saying: “We cannot go on, we cannot afford, another five years of Gordon Brown.”
In what will be interpreted as an attempt to undercut Labour attacks that the Tories as the party of the rich few, Mr Cameron highlighted the fact that life expectancy and infant mortality rates for poor and rich have widened under Labour and are as big as in Victorian times. To correct this the Conservatives will introduce a Health Premium to target more resources on the poorest communities.
Mr Cameron also announced a second new policy, if the Conservatives win the next election they will introduce new maternity networks. These will link up local hospitals, doctors, charities, voluntary groups and maternity consultants to share information, expertise and services.
Shadow chancellor George Osborne opened the proceedings and took the opportunity to attack Alistair Darling’s announcement this morning, which cast doubt on Tory economic policy.
“We start positive. We have new ideas and we are talking about policy,” Mr Osborne said.
“Labour’s press conference this morning was negative.
“Cutting the deficit while protecting real increases in the NHS budget is not easy,” he continued.
“I will not pretend that protecting the NHS does not mean very difficult decisions in other departments. There will have to be spending cuts, a word the prime minister can’t bring himself to use.”
