Conservatives would “leave hospital patients to die in corridors” – mudslinging says Gillan

October 28, 2009 No Comments

Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan MP today condemned as “mudslinging” claims Conservatives would leave hospital patients to die in corridors.

In a rebuke to Welsh Secretary Peter Hain, Mrs Gillan accused the Labour MP of “playing political games with vulnerable people” ahead of the General Election.

And in a speech to the Bow Group she will demand Labour joins the Conservatives in “mature politics” in the election campaign. Mrs Gillan will dismiss Mr Hain’s comments as “complete fabrication”, adding:

“Peter Hain is trying to frighten people.

“The public expects and deserves a better debate than this. We need a far more responsible attitude towards political debate in the election campaign.

“David Cameron has made it clear that for Conservatives the NHS is an absolute priority.

“Mr Hain conveniently ignores the fact that in Wales health policy is devolved. The minister in charge of the Welsh NHS is currently his own Labour colleague – and possibly soon-to-be Welsh Labour leader.”

In the speech Cheryl Gillan will this evening say that “continuity, commitment and connections” are needed to make devolution deliver for Wales.

This would usher in a new era of co-operation rather than confrontation between the Assembly and Westminster governments, she will say.

Expanding on the theme of a new relationship between London and Cardiff from her recent party conference speech in Manchester, Mrs Gillan will say:

“In order to effectively implement policies that can make a difference in Wales we cannot allow this relationship to falter.

“We cannot allow the Assembly Government to shut the door. The way through is a mature attitude to politics acknowledging that though we may have party differences we all want the best for Wales.

“Devolution has to deliver. It’s all too easy to become embroiled in constitutional arguments without looking at what good government is all about – delivering the best possible outcomes.

“Devolution is about putting power closer to the people – to allow decisions to be made which take into account differing local circumstances.

“Wales needs to be well-connected into Westminster, not divorced from it.”

Cardiff News