Greg Knight last week voted with his Coalition bosses against releasing the risk assessment for the controversial Health and Social Care Bill
The proposed changes will essentially open up the NHS to full-blooded privatisation and put at risk the principle of free health care.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has so far refused to publish the risk assessment in open defiance of two freedom of information requests and despite regional risk registers flagging up serious concerns, including the likely failure to deliver statutory objectives.
Wednesday’s vote is typical of the government’s arrogant and unmandated approach to forcing through changes to the National Health Service.
The bill is opposed by the majority of doctors and nurses and has prompted an e-petition of over 150,000 signatures.
While Mr Knight toes the line in Westminster he is much more eager to please crowds at home by showing his support for Bridlington Hospital, which has suffered cuts to services over the past decade.
A year ago Andrew Lansley visited the hospital at Mr Knight’s invitation and told staff and patients it had a future. If this bill gets through Parliament the same can’t be said for the wider NHS.
Lest we forget, you simply can’t trust the Tories on the National Health Service.
