David Cameron announced that the NHS is the Tories number 1 priority. Labour said the Tories can’t be trusted with the NHS.
The Conservatives are said to have announced £45bn of spending plans. Labour say that makes a £34bn tax hole.
Where is the truth? David Cameron has been consistent about the NHS and has maintained an honest approach in general so I’d be inclined to believe him. A shame it comes to having to make the NHS such a big issue when it seems in reality the biggest problem is the forthcoming government debt.
On tax holes, all the numbers are so wrapped in caveats that it’s not worth thinking about. Labour have been very political in their statements so it’s never clear whether they’re saying it includes exclusions, was announced 10 years ago and shelved or was rejected as impossible and then added to head off something the other side said.
The government is tactfully ignoring that public debt is forecast to grow to immense size in the next few years. It doesn’t seem right that Alastair Darling makes big issue about his own interpretation of Conservative plans when he won’t come clean about the debt. How can we have a fair campaign when the biggest issue is ignored by the incumbent and so no-one dare speak of it. If there is a subject in the future TV debate that needs hammering, it’s this.