Jeremy Corbyn

Leader of the Labour Party

This Saturday in London, I will be joining The People’s Assembly Against Austerity, doctors, nurses, health campaigners, unions and tens of thousands of others at the Our NHS at 70 march. It is almost 70 years since the NHS was founded by a Labour government and it’s still our proudest achievement. It was the first comprehensive health service in the world built on the principle that healthcare should be available to all on the basis of need, not ability to pay.

What the Conservatives have done to our NHS, first under David Cameron, and then Theresa May, is appalling. Deliberate underfunding, and squeezing the pay of our doctors, nurses and health staff, has pushed it to the brink.

Every day there are stories of unacceptable waiting times, ambulance delays and patients left on trolleys in corridors. They’ve spent years selling off and contracting out our NHS bit by bit, leaving it to be sued by private firms.

Last week, the government finally announced some more money. But you know what? It’s not enough. Not enough to make up for eight years of slashed budgets, falling morale and loss of staff. It would barely keep the NHS at a standstill.

A Labour government would give the NHS the money it needs because we are not afraid to ask big business and the richest to pay their fair share of tax. I hope you’ll join us on Saturday to stand up for our health service and its staff, who carry our NHS on their shoulders, despite this Government.