"Well, Backwoodsman, scrapping the NHS appears to be exactly what this government is planning. Although if you imply that this government is not in its right mind I will agree

On the first point, I fear you may well be right, Richard. A former Tory government wrought havoc by selling off a good percentage of our council-housing stock, clearing the way for private landlords to make fortunes guaranteed by our benefits system, whilst huge numbers still go homeless, so why wouldn't this one sell the NHS out from under our feet? But I'd like to think that Cameron, at least, has more humanity in him than that. I hope so.

On the second point(and bear in mind that, in terms of personal political philosophy, I'm closer to you than I am to Don), I don't think this government is necessarily any worse than the past three or four - all driven and controlled by big-business paymasters, all toeing whatever party-line is in vogue at the time. Which, thinking a step further, may negate my above statement of hope regarding Cameron's humanity.