to: The Editor, Wall Street Journal Europe from: Neil Winton 2MAY05 Labour Poison Makes Rational Health Debate Impossible I've just read Kyle Wingfield's piece in today's WSJE on Michael Howard's campaign in the U.K. election. Wingfield makes some interesting points. I wish the Tories were a bit more daring and willing to flaunt their principles. But I think his remark suggesting privatisation of our woeful National Health Service reveals a gap in his knowledge of the British scene. It might seem to an American that suggesting improvements in health delivery by privatising it makes rational sense. But I'm afraid "rational" doesn't work here with the NHS. The Labour party has so poisoned the health debate that it is impossible to have an intelligent discussion. Any hint of "privatisation" or any change at all is zeroed in on by liars like Labour's Alistair Campbell, Prime Minister Tony Blair's spokesman. Anything that deviates from centralised state control means misery for the weakest, the poor, the children, say the likes of Campbell. The British are so brain-washed by statist health propaganda that even most middle income voters shun this privatisation option. They can't see that the best health delivery standards in the world are in the U.S. They link U.S. health care with the exploitation of the poor, and privilege for the rich. This is a reflection both of lies by Labour, and superficial and shoddy coverage of health care by Britain's media in general and the BBC in particular. You will see from my website www.wintonsworld.com that I agree health care should be privatised. It's too late now for this election campaign, but could the WSJE run an investigation on health delivery in the U.S., Germany, France, Canada and Britain, and show once and for all what the best system for everybody is please? Regards Neil (this letter, with minor changes, appears in the Wall Street Journal Europe of 3MAY05) Top