TTIP - The EU-US Trade Treaty that will make slaves of us all - Thanks Globalisation

Ukip, however, would sell off the lucrative parts of the NHS quicker than the present government given half a chance. Private firms and charities will be encouraged to bid for contracts, and the party would implement a “patient passport” policy that would allow patients to choose where they get treatment, or even take 60% of the cost of operations out of the NHS to go private.

In addition, patients could obtain “health credit vouchers” to opt out of NHS care altogether and buy insurance policies from private companies.

Ukip is known for making its policy on the hoof. But it was Ukip that said the NHS was not fit for the 21st century. It was Ukip that promised to impose £40bn of cuts to our NHS; that it would franchise out key services including hospitals and GP surgeries to companies and charities. The party is in favour of charging patients who require A&E treatment, but who don’t need treating within two hours, and it will promote mutual providers, including GPs, to charge a flat fee to see non-emergency cases. It also wants to make sure that when people register with a GP they can demonstrate that they will be able to pay off upfront fees over a period of time.

If the NHS is on the brink of extinction now, it will surely be put in a graveyard if Ukip has its way. In June, Paul Nuttall MEP, the vice-chair of Ukip, posted on his own website: “I would argue that the very existence of the NHS stifles competition, and as competition drives quality and choice, innovation and improvements are restricted. Therefore, I believe, as long as the NHS is the ‘sacred cow’ of British politics, the longer the British people will suffer with a second-rate health service.” He has since taken it down.