• ON Monday at the regular meeting of Camden Council’s health and adult social care scrutiny committee we received a deputation from Peter Roderick and Professor Allyson Pollock on the Health and Care Bill 2021 currently making its way through parliament.

I found it cringingly embarrassing when we heard from the deputees how little opposition the Labour front bench has mounted to the bill in parliament, and I asked if the bill brought to an end the principle of health care free at the point of need, they answered that for many services that would indeed be the case.

At the general election two years ago Jeremy Corbyn predicted the Tories were intent on the dismantling of the NHS, a claim rubbished by the Tories and the gutter press; but I did not think HM Official Opposition would stand by and let it happen.

I hope it is not too late for Sir Keir Starmer, as leader and as my MP, to challenge the government at the 11th hour. I sincerely hope all is not lost.

CLLR SIMON PEARSON
Champion for Learning Disabilities
& Deaf & Hard of Hearing