What could be nastier than Mr Miliband’s threat (to Andrew Marr of the BBC) that Labour are planning to “weaponise” the NHS in the run-up to the General Election? In other words, he intends to play on the worries of the sickest and elderly and most vulnerable people in society for perceived party political advantage.

It would, of course, be perfectly legitimate to point out whatever may be wrong with the NHS, but it is a low trick to use scaremongering tactics in a desperate attempt to achieve power.

The reality of the NHS is that more people than ever before are being treated; with better than ever medical science; by the kindest and most caring, and most professional doctors and nurses and health workers in the world.

We are incredibly lucky to have such a brilliant NHS, and most people realise and acknowledge that fact.

Whenever the NHS is raised on doorsteps, I always ask, “Oh, have you had a bad experience, then?” The answer inevitably is: “No, on the contrary. I/my family were looked after extremely well. I have no complaints, but I am just worried about what I hear on the TV.”

Rather the same applies to a Labour-inspired organisation called 38 Degrees who make it their business to stir up the public on particular topics. They are trying to argue that an EU agreement with the US called TTIP will lead to the privatisation of the NHS. I am glad to be able to assure you that that is absolutely not the case. The NHS will not be privatised by any Conservative Govern-ment now or in the future, and it is disgraceful party political scaremongering to suggest otherwise.

There is so much more that we can do to improve the NHS. But no party or person has any kind of monopoly on correctness about how to achieve that.

All we need to do is glance at the Labour-run NHS in Wales to see that they are in no position to crow about it. This should not be a party issue. It’s an issue for society as a whole.

The truth is that in the old days we retired at 65 years of age and died at 70, so costing the nation a modest amount in our old age. Now that we are all living longer, we are going to have to find a way to pay for our brilliant NHS.

And, of course, the only true way we can pay for our brilliant NHS is by sorting out the nation’s finances and the wider economy.

No-one can pay for anything unless their own house is in order.