Text Box: The coming General Election looks to be the first since 1992 where the result is in doubt. The Association is doing its best to assist local campaigners by providing information and support. The divisions between Labour and Conservative over health policy are not as obvious as they have been in earlier elections. Cameron is keen to assure us of his devotion to the NHS and his personal experience makes this claim more credible. There are clearly some people in the Tory Party who would like to bring in a regime of private insurance, but it seems unlikely at present that they will have much influence. The Conservatives, however, propose to go much further than Labour has in relying on choice, competition and markets to increase quality and efficiency. We could see a return to GP fundholding—on steroids. They will offer NHS cash to any willing provider of services. They plan to establish an independent NHS Board and to make the Secretary of State responsible for public health rather than the NHS. This whole issue is devoted to the election manifesto we are working on with Compass. This concentrates on positive moves we want to see rather than attacks on the Opposition. As we do not expect the election until 6th May there is still time for members to make constructive suggestions to improve our manifesto. Text Box: Editorial: Text Box: 80th anniversary year Spring 2010 Text Box: Our Health Manifesto Text Box: Socialism and Health, the magazine of the Socialist Health Association Text Box: A system second to none in the world. Democratically accountable Where people matter. Where health is as important as illness. Where the recipients of care are key to defining the quality of that care. Where patients are respected and trusted to share decision-making where they want to and to look after themselves more consistently. And given the tools to do so by clinicians who see this as central to their work. Where vested interests are challenged

“In health, perhaps more than other areas of the public sector, Labour can point to real advances, with patients being treated more quickly, services such as accident and emergency transformed, and improvements in survival among heart and cancer patients.”

Niall Dickson Chief Executive of the King's Fund  July 2009