By buggery, I posted a thoughtful well prosed counter opinion to some of this debate yesterday and it seems to have cocked up as it isn't here.

No matter, I was only taking the piss out of Bridge's hilarious hypocrisy.

On a walking holiday in The Highlands so Internet access is limited to say the least. That said, this thread, whilst a desperately sad indictment of a disgraceful ex politician does manage to throw up the odd chuckle.

1. My dear Bridge, two points. First, a person's view reflecting self interest is not a viable excuse to treat them with contempt. Although someone who prostitutes themselves to defend their self interest in courts may wish to reconsider their earlier stance? Secondly, The NHS has not just started rationing care for reasons. Of cost, they have been doing it since 1948. The budget is the budget, not the budget plus a few pennies. Sad, but other than making savings elsewhere or raising taxes, 'twas ever thus.

2.. Akenaton, I noticed a comment from you that I entirely agree with.

3. Comparing this lot to Th*tcher's tenure is to forget how bad it was, and most importantly, how it was to a plan rather than Camerom's well intentioned but stupid sticking plaster approach.

4. Hunt in charge of The NHS? A friend commented the other day that he had no idea Murdoch had diversified into private healthcare.

Just wanted to get that last bit in before a telly comic takes credit for it.